Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with more than the trophy at stake. Sunday's showdown in New Jersey will also reunite Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni with his former coaching tutor, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente.
Spain reached the final after defeating France 2-0, while Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1. European champions Spain are chasing a second World Cup title, 16 years after their triumph in South Africa, while reigning champions Argentina are aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
The meeting also carries a personal significance for the two coaches. In 2017, after retiring as a player, Scaloni attended the Spanish Football Association's (RFEF) coaching academy in Las Rozas, where De la Fuente, then responsible for Spain's youth teams, was one of his tutors.
Ahead of Argentina's semi-final, De la Fuente said he would be "delighted" to face the defending champions in the final. His comment reflected respect rather than confidence of an easier challenge, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two men.
Scaloni has often spoken about the support he received during his coaching education. Before Argentina's Copa America quarter-final against Ecuador in 2024, he said: "Luis has been a huge help to those of us who did the coaching course in Las Rozas. I've had chats with him and I wish him all the best."
The admiration has been mutual. De la Fuente has previously described his former student as a master, recognising the success he has achieved with Argentina at both world and continental level.
During the 2024 Copa America, which ran alongside the UEFA European Championship, Scaloni again praised the Spain coach.
"I want Spain to do well (at the Euros) and he helped us lads who did the coaching course in Las Rozas a great deal. I like the way he manages things and how the players give their all for him," he said.
Both managers went on to win their respective continental titles in 2024. They now meet again on football's biggest stage with the World Cup at stake.
Scaloni also has strong personal ties to Spain. His wife, Elisa Montero, is Spanish, the couple's children were born in Spain and the family lives in Mallorca. During his playing career, the 48-year-old represented Deportivo La Coruña, Racing Santander and Mallorca.
In 2024, Scaloni admitted his affection for the country, saying: "Part of my family is Spanish and, naturally, I'm supporting Spain (at the Euros)."
After Spain secured their place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, Scaloni congratulated his former mentor while looking ahead to Argentina's own semi-final.
"I'm happy for him. He deserves it. He's a great bloke. Everything we see in his national team is what we hope to see in ours," he said.
Joking about the possibility of meeting in the final, he added: "If things don't go well for us, I'll give him a call. If we play against him in the final... no. Let's hope there's no call until after the final."
That reunion will now take place on Sunday, when mentor and former student put friendship aside as Spain and Argentina battle to become world champions.
