Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed confidence that Spain have what it takes to defeat Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, insisting that fair officiating could be the deciding factor in the title clash.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s final, Laporta said Spain possess the stronger squad and believes La Roja will have an excellent chance of lifting the trophy if the match officials remain firm and unaffected by pressure throughout the encounter.
According to the Barcelona chief, Spain’s quality across the pitch gives them an edge over the defending champions, but he stressed that effective refereeing will be crucial in ensuring a fair contest.
“We have the better team. If the referee is assertive, Spain will have increased chances of winning,” Laporta said.
His comments come amid criticism from some football observers, who have claimed Argentina benefited from several controversial refereeing decisions during their run to the final. Despite the allegations, Lionel Messi’s side have continued to deliver impressive performances, overcoming difficult opponents to reach another World Cup final.
Spain, on the other hand, have produced one of the tournament’s most convincing campaigns. Luis de la Fuente’s men progressed to the final after defeating Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France, showcasing a balanced mix of attacking flair and defensive discipline.
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Laporta believes those performances prove Spain are capable of ending Argentina’s reign as world champions and securing the country’s second FIFA World Cup title after their historic triumph in 2010.
The eagerly anticipated final will be played on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where Spain will attempt to stop Argentina from becoming back-to-back world champions. All eyes will be on young star Lamine Yamal and veteran captain Lionel Messi as both nations battle for football’s biggest prize.
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