Barcelona president Joan Laporta has backed Spain to defeat Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final while subtly demanding strict officiating to counter the South Americans’ physical approach.

The club chief made the bold predictions during an impromptu interview with an El Partidazo de COPE reporter while strolling past the Tous store at the Rockefeller Centre in New York.

Laporta predicts Spanish glory
Spain are set to face the defending champions at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday in a clash that pits Barcelona’s past against its present.

Laporta left no room for ambiguity regarding where his loyalties lie ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.

“The Spanish national team will win,” Laporta stated. “We have a better team.”

Other than being a Spanish national himself, his unwavering support for manager Luis de la Fuente’s side is influenced by the fact that La Roja squad currently features eight Barcelona players.

However, Laporta also took the opportunity to issue a thinly veiled warning regarding Argentina’s famously robust defensive tactics.

Lionel Scaloni’s side have relied on an aggressive, physical approach to navigate their way to consecutive World Cup finals.

Laporta suggested that Spain’s technical style could be stifled if the match officials allow the defending champions to disrupt the flow with tactical fouls.

“If the referee is a referee who asserts himself, the national team will have more chances of winning the match,” he told the Spanish radio network.
The showpiece event presents a unique emotional dilemma for Barcelona supporters worldwide.

Argentina are captained by Lionel Messi, the undisputed greatest player in the Catalan club’s history following his legendary spell between 2004 and 2021.

Conversely, Spain’s attack is spearheaded by Lamine Yamal, the 19-year-old sensation who currently wears Barcelona’s iconic number 10 shirt.

This generational dynamic has sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with Laporta stoking the sentiments by saying, “Messi is the past and present; Yamal is the present and future.

Many Barcelona fans have playfully expressed comfort with any potential outcome, while others continue to agonise over whether to support their historic idol or their current teenage talisman.

When the two nations take the pitch on Sunday, it will mark their first competitive meeting since the 1966 World Cup group stage, where Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over Spain at Villa Park in England.

According to official Barcelona reports, following Spain’s 2-0 victory over France, eight Barcelona players have reached the FIFA World Cup final, equaling the record set at the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup.

This number matches the record for Barcelona players in a FIFA World Cup final set in South Africa in 2010. At that time, Valdés, Pique, Puyol, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, and Villa were all in the Spanish squad, ultimately lifting the trophy in Johannesburg.

Barcelona players played a decisive role in this semi-final, helping the team secure a spot in the final. Olmo provided an assist, Yamal earned a penalty, and Cubarsi showed solid performance at the heart of the defense. Additionally, Pedri and Ferran Torres came on as substitutes, injecting vitality and quality in the latter stages of the match. Other Barcelona players who made it to the final include Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, and Gavi, all cheering for their teammates from the bench.

Gordon is expected to set a new record
On Thursday, Beijing time (CEST), Gordon could potentially feature in the match against Messi and Argentina. If England wins, Barcelona will have nine players in the final, breaking the club’s record for the number of players in a FIFA World Cup final.

Barcelona players have reached the final for 5 consecutive tournaments
Barcelona players have been present in the last five FIFA World Cup finals. In 2010, eight Barcelona players were in Spain’s winning squad. Four years later, Mascherano and Messi represented Argentina in the Brazil FIFA World Cup final. At the Russia FIFA World Cup, Umtiti and Dembele won with France, while Rakitic was in the Croatian team that lost the final. In the most recent 2022 FIFA World Cup final, Dembele and Kounde lost to Messi’s Argentina in a penalty shootout.

Barcelona once again holds an important position in the pursuit of this top international honor, and a new record for Barcelona players reaching the final could even be set.

Jacob Vandi has been unveiled as the technical adviser of Nigeria National League, NNL, side Ekiti United.

Vandi was presented to the fans by the Ekiti State Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports Development, Dr. Mrs Olusola Osetoba.

The young tactician replaced Idris Bolarinwa who left the club at the end of last season.

Bolarinwa departed the club after guiding Ekiti United to third position in the NNL Conference B last season.

The new coach brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in Nigerian football, having previously guided Ekiti Queens FC to a mid-table finish in the 2025-26 season.

Vandi is expected to build on last season’s performance as Ekiti United target promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.