With the 2026 World Cup coming to its conclusion Sunday with the Final between defending champions Argentina and 2010 champions Spain, the Madera Tribune decided to ask some soccer figures in the area about their thoughts of finals match.
Argentina and Spain will conclude the 2026 World Cup in New Jersey.
The Americans made a nice run, but a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the knockout stage left a sour taste in our mouths. However, the U.S. is young and will be more hungry the next time around.
Here are the predictions:
Erick Walker, Liberty Hawks boys soccer coach — 2-1, Spain. Spain is a solid team, all-around.
Nic Landeros, former Madera Coyotes boys soccer coach — 2-1, Spain. He even predicted the goals — Oyarzabel and Merino, off the bench, for Spain and Fernandez for Argentina. He will be watching with his NLM Next team at a College Showcase in Davis.
Marco Gomez, Matilda Torres Toros girls soccer coach and member of the 1998 Coyote Valley Championship team — 2-1, Spain or 3-2 Argentina. For the first prediction, Spain plays well as a team. They are patient and look to keep the ball by controlling possession. If Messi can’t get the ball on his feet, then he can’t hurt them, They pick and choose their attack. They overload opponents’ sides with the wings and overlapping outside backs. They are young and hungry. For the second prediction, Messi and Argentina have proven that you can’t count them out, even when down 2-0. With Spain using an overload method of attack, it does leave them open for counterattacks, which Argentina is very good at, which is why it could also be a high scoring match. Messi is hungry, and the GOAT, but Spain is young and very talented.
Jason Pasma, Matilda Torres Toros baseball assistant coach, and member of the 1998 Coyote Valley Championship team — 2-1, Spain. They move well off the ball more than any other team. Argentina plays hard, but they walk a lot. I think it will be too little, too late for Argentina.
Ramon Delgadillo, former Madera South girls soccer coach — 2-1, Argentina. The way they have been improving and the way they are playing. It showed against England.
Garrett Perez, Matilda Torres assistant girls soccer coach, Madera Community College Men’s Soccer Coach — 3-2, Argentina. Spain plays the most calculated football. Nobody maintains possession anywhere near the capacity at which Spain does. Argentina just has that X-factor. If Messi is on your side, and time still on the clock, he finds a way to score, and his team is relentless coming from behind. They have grit, unity and pride. This is better than Christmas and my birthday combined. We wait four years for this moment.