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The 2026 World Cup is hurtling towards a blockbuster final between Argentina and Spain, who will be praying not to suffer any untimely injury setbacks in their quest for global glory.
Spain came out of their semi-final triumph over France sweating over two potential injury doubts, with Lamine Yamal and goalscorer Pedro Porro both training away from the group on Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, has seems to have a fully fit squad at his disposal – though the continued absence of Facundo Medina since coming off in the round of 32 may raise questions over whether he can feature.
See below for a full list of key injuries heading into this year’s World Cup final:
Who could be injured for the World Cup final?
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Let’s start with the biggest name to be threatened by injury heading into the final.
Yamal was one of two Spain starters to train away from the rest of the squad after picking up a minor issue following La Roja’s semi-final win over France.
He was sporting a bandage on his thigh, sparking fears that Spain’s star winger would be absent from their seismic finale clash with holders Argentina.
The Barcelona teenager came into this tournament surrounded by injury uncertainty after sustaining a hamstring issue in April, but Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has played down worries that his involvement is at risk and says the measure to have him train alone was purely precautionary.
“As far as I know, Lamine has nothing serious. I’ve just spoken with the medical staff, and everything looks positive,” De la Fuente said.
Lamine Yamal in training ahead of Spain’s World Cup final against Argentina (Getty)
Pedro Porro (Spain)
Like Yamal, Tottenham right-back Porro was forced to train alone the day after scoring in Spain’s semi-final triumph after it was revealed he was dealing with “something minor” with muscle overload.
He has since undergone further evaluation ahead of the clash with Argentina and after initially explaining that he felt that “something wasn’t right”, he has emphasised that he has sustained nothing serious: “I’m better, I’m very well.”
He is expected to start at right-back against Argentina.
Pedro Porro scored against France in the semis (Reuters)
Yeremy Pino (Spain)
Crystal Palace winger Pino suffered a collarbone injury against Uruguay all the way back in the group-stage.
Spain said X-rays showed Pino had not sustained a fractured collar bone but an acromioclavicular sprain.
However, he is yet to play any minutes for Spain since sustaining the injury and it is highly unlikely he will return for the final.
Yeremy Pino suffered a collarbone injury against Uruguay (Reuters)
Victor Munoz (Spain)
New Liverpool signing Munoz has been absent for the entirety of the World Cup so far after sustaining a calf injury in the build-up to the tournament. He then suffered a further setback when he was diagnosed with another muscular injury. He will be absent for the final.
New Liverpool signing Victor Munoz has not featured for Spain so far this World Cup (Getty)
Facundo Medina (Argentina)
Argentina have assessing Medina ever since he hobbled off with a calf problem in their last-32 clash win over Cape Verde.
Medina, who started three of Argentina’s first four World Cup outings, has not featured since that extra-time win and faces a race against time to be fit for the final.
Nicolas Tagliafico will hope to keep his place at left-back after helping Argentina navigate their way through the knockouts.
Facundo Medina has not featured since hobbling off in the last-32 (AP)