Official lineup for Spain vs Argentina, Juventus players starting

ATLANTA, GA – JULY 15: Nico Gonzalez #15 of Argentina attempts a header against #6 Marc Guehi of England during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Botterill/Getty Images)

Juventus winger Nico Gonzalez will start alongside Lionel Messi for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, while Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz will start on the bench against Lamine Yamal’s Spain.

The match will kick off at 20:00 UK time (21:00 CET) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Argentina are defending the title they won in Qatar in 2022, but the road to the final was a difficult one, with a series of comebacks and late wins.

Lautaro Martínez was Serie A capocannoniere for Inter this season, scoring the final winning goal in the semi-final against England, but was dropped again to make way for Julian Álvarez.

Como star Nico Paz is also on the bench, but the big change is that Juventus winger Nico Gonzalez has been selected ahead of Giuliano Simeone. Giuliano Simeone is the younger brother of Torino striker Giovanni and was born in Italy when his father Diego was at Lazio.

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Argentina's No. 22 Lautaro Martinez scores his team's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendez/Getty Images) — ATLANTA, GA – JULY 15: Argentina’s No. 22 Lautaro Martinez scores his team’s second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendez/Getty Images)

Spain grew stronger as the tournament progressed, drawing their opening match against Cape Verde, but needed late goals to get ahead of Uruguay, Portugal and Belgium.

They showed virtuosity in defeating favorites France 2-0 in the semi-finals, and Mikel Oyarzabal has scored five goals at the World Cup so far.

There were some concerns about Lamine Yamal’s left thigh, but Barcelona’s talented player shrugged off the injury and played alongside Dani Olmo and Alex Baena.

Former Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz was selected again to replace Pedri.

If Argentina wins, they will have won the World Cup four times, joining Italy and Germany and behind Brazil with five.