Manchester United and England icon, Rio Ferdinand, has predicted a win for Spain in the 2026 tournament.
However, he acknowledged that Argentina should not be underestimated, praising the South American team for their tenacity and criticizing those who label them as an average squad.
The 2026 event will feature a clash between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, competing for the most prestigious accolade in football.
Despite entering the match as the defending champions, Lionel Scaloni’s team is considered less favored to win compared to Spain.
La Furia Roja has been nearly flawless in the current tournament in North America, dismantling opponents with their cautious yet effective style of play, resulting in 13 goals scored and only one conceded over seven matches. Conversely, La Albiceleste has experienced fluctuations in performance, advancing through the tournament by the narrowest of margins.
Nevertheless, Ferdinand insisted that the Lionel Messi-led squad should not be dismissed, stating that labeling them as an ‘average team’ is disrespectful.
He remarked via Sky Sports, “I find it difficult to bet against Argentina. They have demonstrated remarkable character, determination, and resilience. I believe people have been somewhat disrespectful by calling them an average team; they are not.”
“They possess one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. Even at 39, he remains one of the top players in the world, and they have a fantastic team. You cannot achieve what they have in finals and major competitions over the past few years, becoming world champions, and still refer to them as average,” Ferdinand added.
The former England defender praised Argentina’s capacity to adapt when faced with adversity but ultimately predicted a victory for Spain, stating:
“I think it is inappropriate and disrespectful. If you are saying that, you clearly do not watch enough football, as they are an excellent team, and in challenging situations, they become even better and stronger. However, I do believe Spain will win the match,” he concluded.
