FIFA World Cup 2026 Final: Lionel Messi's Argentina aim to accomplish in New York what Diego Maradona couldn't in Rome 36 years ago
It is also the first time since Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to back-to-back World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990 that the country has reached consecutive title matches. Argentina won the World Cup in 1986 before finishing runners-up in 1990. Their seven final appearances have come in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014, 2022 and 2026.
It is also the first time since Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to back-to-back World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990 that the country has reached consecutive title matches. Argentina won the World Cup in 1986 before finishing runners-up in 1990. Their seven final appearances have come in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014, 2022 and 2026.
