Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, Argentina coach Scaloni attended a press conference to answer media questions. Below is the first part of the conference.

Lionel, another final during your tenure—another FIFA World Cup final. How are you feeling? How have you prepared for this moment?

Scaloni: Good evening, everyone. Our preparation is the same as for every match: a strong desire to win, actively analyzing the opponent, and observing what we can do tactically. Although it's a final, it's primarily a football match, and we need to be in top form to strive for victory. We treat it as a normal match rather than deliberately emphasizing the "FIFA World Cup final" title, otherwise our focus might be distracted. We'll do our best to prepare for every match, then wait for the result.

Hello, Lionel. With such meticulous planning and attention to detail, can we expect the team to play 80 minutes of fluid, high-level football again, similar to the FIFA World Cup final against France in Qatar?

I think the team has consistently shown its best side. In recent matches, especially the second half against England, the performance was excellent—not just in the final minutes. We're in good shape, though there are always details to improve. The team is doing well, and we're facing a strong opponent. We must remember that the opponent is also studying us. Since everyone is very familiar with how Argentina plays, reaching this point is a double credit. We'll try to win the final.

Lionel, about the right-back position, which rotates between Molina and Montiel in every match. As the tournament progresses, this has raised questions. How do you communicate with them? Have you discussed the rotations? Did either show better form in the last match against England?

The situation in this position is the same as in previous matches. You've seen how the games have progressed; we've been rotating to allocate playing time fairly. We'll assess on Sunday. We don't have much training time—we arrived at 11 pm last night, and today's training was shortened for the press conference. Tomorrow's training is crucial; we can speak with them and evaluate their condition. In principle, everyone is in good shape.

Lionel, good afternoon. Please help us understand something: in 2022, we were overwhelmed with emotion, crying daily—not just you, but everyone—releasing anxiety against Mexico. In Qatar, we won honors, prestige, and relief from a heavy burden. Yet in this FIFA World Cup, everyone is still shedding tears at every step. After matches, everyone cries with joy or catharsis. After already having honors and status, what still moves you so emotionally?

Precisely because of what you mentioned. When you see how your people celebrate, how happy they are, that emotion transfers to you—it's impossible not to be moved. I've always believed, and said, that we fight for them. The Argentina national team fights for the people, the country, the family, those waiting in front of the TV to see the team. We've reclaimed something precious: getting people to stand in front of the TV wearing Argentina jerseys, getting Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central fans to embrace, getting Boca and River Plate fans to embrace. This is our greatest value. We can see it, feel it, and keep it in mind constantly. How can that not move you? In the FIFA World Cup, unity, teamwork, and this connection are crucial. We feel the people with the team, and that's deeply moving for us. Expressing emotion is good; it's part of life, part of who you are, and it makes you seem more genuine.

Lionel, Luis de la Fuente just said that you and he share similar values, reflected in two great teams with similar playing styles. Can you elaborate on the commonalities between Argentina and Spain? How does it feel to face a coach who knows you well?

He knows me as a person, but we don't know each other that deeply in football terms. Although we're friends, he may not know all my tactical thoughts. But we clearly understand each other's team styles. Both teams' tactical patterns are evident: both emphasize dominating the game through possession, and while our attacking approaches differ, possession is always the core. We do have many similarities in that regard—both trying to strengthen ourselves through ball control. I hope we deliver a high-level performance on Sunday, and most importantly, let the people enjoy it. It will be wonderful football.

Lionel, considering everything that has happened during your tenure, how much value do you place on experience in this type of match? Is it an advantage, or does it help relieve pre-match tension? Thank you, and good luck on Sunday.

Thank you. Players' experience—or experience playing in a final—I think Atlético Madrid also has many players at top clubs who've proven themselves on big stages. When the ball starts rolling, players forget the pressure; at least my players do, and they immerse themselves fully in the game. I don't think experience is an obstacle—quite the opposite. These are two teams that will go all out, looking for opportunities through passing, control, and deep attacks. We don't have an absolute advantage just because we've played in a final. Spain has also played in European Championship finals and Nations League finals; they're equally experienced. This won't be an obstacle.

Lionel, perhaps as you said, due to training and scheduling, this is the shortest preparation time for a match. But given previous discussions about the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions, is this the match you've conceived for the longest, imagined most, and been most inspired by during the FIFA World Cup?

We studied Spain because there might have been a match in March, but we've actually been analyzing all potential FIFA World Cup opponents since December. We didn't conduct any special analysis of Spain beyond other opponents. Looking at the World Cup progression, even if Spain was a potential CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup opponent in March, we'd already thoroughly analyzed all possible paths and numerous opponents to this stage. We didn't give them extra attention. Over-analysis isn't helpful. We know their playing style and strengths well, and we'll try to limit them while playing our own style and creating threats in their weak areas.

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