FIFA World Cup final: Cucurella vows to retire from Spain if they beat Argentina
Synopsis
Marc Cucurella has put his entire international career on the line ahead of Sunday's World Cup final — win it, and he walks away. Having played every minute of Spain's near-flawless run to the final, conceding just one goal in seven games, the Chelsea defender says a European Championship and a World Cup would leave him with nothing left to chase.
Key Takeaways
Marc Cucurella has pledged to retire from international football if Spain beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, 20 July .
Cucurella played every minute of Spain's seven matches , with La Roja conceding just one goal throughout the tournament.
Spain eliminated Austria , Portugal , Belgium , and France in the knockout stages — their first World Cup final since 2010 .
The 27-year-old Chelsea full-back already holds a UEFA Euro 2024 winners' medal with Spain.
Cucurella also pledged to tattoo coach Luis de la Fuente 's face on his bicep if Spain win the title.
Spain defender Marc Cucurella has declared he will retire from international football if La Roja defeat defending champions Argentina in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, saying winning both the UEFA European Championship and the World Cup would leave him with nothing left to prove on the international stage.
The Retirement Pledge
The 27-year-old Chelsea full-back, speaking ahead of the final, was unequivocal about his intentions. 'If we win the World Cup, I'll call Luis the next day and tell him not to count on me anymore, that I'm retiring from the national team. With a European Championship and a World Cup, I can't do any better,' Cucurella told the French daily L'Équipe.
Cucurella added a second, more colourful promise: he would get a tattoo of Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente's face on his bicep should Spain lift the trophy. The pledge underlines the bond between the defender and the manager who has overseen Spain's rise to the summit of world football.
Cucurella's Role in Spain's Unbeaten Run
Cucurella has been among Spain's standout performers throughout the tournament, playing every single minute of their seven matches as Luis de la Fuente's side conceded just one goal en route to the final. His defensive solidity has been central to what is statistically the strongest defensive record in this World Cup.
Spain opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Cabo Verde before reeling off six consecutive victories, eliminating Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and France in the knockout rounds. It is Spain's first World Cup final appearance since their triumph in 2010.
Spain vs Argentina: What Is at Stake
Sunday's final pits Spain's collective, high-pressing machine against Lionel Messi and a battle-hardened Argentina side bidding to successfully defend the title they won in Qatar 2022. For Spain, victory would deliver a second World Cup crown. For Cucurella personally, it could mark the final curtain on an international career that already includes a UEFA Euro 2024 winners' medal.
Notably, Cucurella's Euro 2024 campaign was itself a redemptive arc — the defender transformed from a player under pressure to a key figure in Spain's continental triumph. His World Cup performances have continued that upward trajectory.
What Happens Next
The FIFA World Cup final takes place on Sunday, 20 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Should Spain win, Cucurella's retirement announcement would make him one of the few players to voluntarily exit international football at the absolute peak — with both a European Championship and a World Cup to his name. Whether he follows through will be one of the stories to watch in the aftermath of the final.
Point of View
Not fatigue. At 27, he would be walking away at his physical peak — a rare choice that speaks to how completely this Spain squad has achieved its collective ambitions. The more interesting subplot is what his exit, if it happens, would mean for Luis de la Fuente's squad depth at left-back heading into the next cycle. Spain's defensive identity in this tournament has been built around Cucurella's relentlessness; replacing that profile will not be straightforward. His tattoo promise, meanwhile, is the kind of human detail that cuts through the noise of a major final week — and it tells you everything about the culture De la Fuente has built.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Marc Cucurella say about retiring from Spain's national team?
Cucurella said he would retire from international football the day after a World Cup win, telling the French newspaper L'Équipe: 'If we win the World Cup, I'll call Luis the next day and tell him not to count on me anymore.' He said winning both the European Championship and the World Cup would mean he could not achieve anything more with Spain.
When and where is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
The FIFA World Cup final takes place on Sunday, 20 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. Spain face defending champions Argentina in what is Spain's first World Cup final since 2010.
How has Marc Cucurella performed in the 2026 World Cup?
Cucurella has been one of Spain's most consistent players, featuring for every minute of all seven matches. Spain conceded just one goal across the tournament, recording six consecutive wins after an opening draw with Cabo Verde.
Who are Spain facing in the World Cup final and what is at stake?
Spain face Argentina, the defending champions, in Sunday's final. A Spain victory would deliver the country's second World Cup title and, according to Cucurella's own pledge, would also mark his retirement from international football.
What other promise did Cucurella make if Spain win the World Cup?
Cucurella said he would get a tattoo of Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente's face on his bicep if Spain win the World Cup, reflecting his admiration for the manager who has transformed La Roja into one of the world's leading sides.
