Chris Sutton's World Cup final and third-place predictions
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton shares his verdicts for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and the third-place play-off between France and England.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup conclusion, BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has shared his predictions for the final and the third-place play-off. The tournament will culminate with a showdown between Spain and Argentina, while France and England face off for the bronze medal.
Regarding the final, Sutton praised Argentina's grit and the influence of Lionel Messi, but backed Spain to emerge victorious. He believes the Spanish side has been the most impressive team throughout the tournament, displaying a level of composure and tactical superiority that saw them dismantle France in the semi-finals.
On the third-place match, Sutton acknowledged the lack of enthusiasm from both camps, noting that players likely want to return home. He expects the game to be difficult to call due to potential squad rotation, but suggests France would be the favorites if both teams field their strongest lineups, marking a final match for Didier Deschamps after 14 years.
Sutton has predicted a 2-1 victory for Spain in the final and a 2-1 win for France in the third-place match. Artificial intelligence predictions currently mirror Sutton's assessment for both games.