Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has backed reigning world champions Argentina as the sole team capable of stopping Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, calling Lionel Scaloni's side 'bulletproof' ahead of the title clash on Monday, 20 July, at the New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Kahn, part of the Zee5 FIFA WC 2026 expert panel, shared his assessment during a virtual roundtable ahead of what promises to be one of the most tactically intriguing finals in recent memory.

Kahn's case for Argentina

The former Bayern Munich shot-stopper was unequivocal about Spain's quality, admitting he had rated La Roja as pre-tournament favourites. 'For me, the Spanish team was the favourite team before the World Cup. I always asked myself, ‘Who and how can you beat Spain?’' he said.

Yet Kahn believes Argentina's unique blend of emotion, aggression, and collective conviction gives them a genuine shot. 'I think the only team that can do this in this World Cup is Argentina. These guys are very emotional, very aggressive, and have total conviction. They are a bulletproof team. They won the Copa America, won the World Cup in 2022, and they still have the superstar Messi playing between the lines,' he said.

He further noted, 'If there is a team that can beat Spain, then it can be Argentina. Maybe it will even go to extra time. We can expect a great final and a battle of two systems with totally different tactical approaches.'

Spain's evolution under De la Fuente

Kahn also highlighted how Spain, under coach Luis de la Fuente, have moved well beyond the possession-heavy tiki-taka identity that defined their dominance a decade ago. 'They further developed tiki-taka in the last 10 or 12 years. Luis de la Fuente has made some adaptations. They are playing more vertically and much more aggressively, with both full-backs always attacking. This is a totally different Spain than it was 10 years ago,' the 57-year-old said.

He singled out two players as pivotal to Spain's campaign — veteran midfielder Rodri and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. 'They have two outstanding players with Rodri in midfield and the genius player Yamal, who can decide a game at every moment,' Kahn added.

What is at stake on 20 July

Spain are chasing their second FIFA World Cup title, having last lifted the trophy in 2010. Argentina, meanwhile, are bidding to become back-to-back world champions after their triumph in Qatar 2022 — a feat that would cement this generation's place among the all-time great international sides. The match kicks off at the New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on Monday, 20 July.

The tactical battle ahead

Kahn's framing of the final as a 'battle of two systems with totally different tactical approaches' underscores the broader narrative: Spain's fluid, high-tempo verticality against Argentina's emotionally charged, defensively compact structure built around Lionel Messi's creative freedom. Notably, Argentina have not conceded a goal from open play in their last three knockout matches, according to tournament data — a statistic that lends weight to Kahn's 'bulletproof' characterisation. Whether the match is settled in ninety minutes or spills into extra time, as Kahn predicts it might, the final is set to be a defining moment of the 2026 edition.