Ronaldo has shared his prediction for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, and the Brazil great is backing Spain to lift the trophy.
Spain face Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday (July 19) in a showdown that will decide the next world champions, with the final set for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The match brings together two of the tournament’s standout teams, with Spain unbeaten through the competition and Argentina chasing back-to-back world titles.
A host of high-profile names are expected to be there, with President Donald Trump due to present the trophy to the victorious skipper after the match.
Spain booked their place in the final with a commanding 2-0 win over tournament favourites France, while Argentina secured their spot by getting past England 2-1 in the other semi-final.
Plenty of fans see this one as incredibly difficult to predict, but Ronaldo — a two-time World Cup winner who also claimed the Golden Boot in 2002 — feels Spain will get the job done comfortably.
Speaking on TikTok alongside former Brazil teammate Denilson, Ronaldo said: “I think Spain wins and the game will be easy.
“For me, France and Spain have always been the favourites and I always remember the programme before the France – Spain game I said the champion would win that game.
“I think Spain wins easy with football played in an extraordinary way. Their DNA is not just the football played in this World Cup, they have been doing this for a long time, they grew up doing it like this, playing this way.”
Ronaldo continued: “I don’t believe Argentina has the strength to become a game of a 1-0, 2-0 because Spain will have possession of the ball all of the time.
“What is still an absolute success for Argentina for this World Cup is the way they turned games on several occasions, Messi, one more time makes one more beautiful story at a World Cup, it’s a team that demonstrates a character, a spirit of overcoming, it’s very beautiful and admirable, we have to learn from it.”
He wrapped up by explaining that Spain’s control of matches and their speed in possession are the main reasons he expects them to come out on top.
The players who win the World Cup on Sunday will reportedly receive championship rings inspired by those traditionally handed out in the Super Bowl, with a miniature World Cup trophy included in the design.
Before kick-off, the national anthems of both finalists will be played, and Jennifer Hudson is also set to perform the US national anthem.
FIFA says Hudson’s performance will ‘set the stage for football’s biggest match and the most anticipated moment of the tournament’.
Spain vs Argentina gets underway at 3pm local time on Sunday.
With a capacity crowd expected in East Rutherford and demand for final tickets still running high, the match is shaping up as one of the biggest sporting events ever staged in the United States.