Argentina vs France, Lionel Messi vs. Kylian Mbappe… the tense heavyweight finale that this incredible 2022 World Cup deserved.
How to watch and stream Argentina vs. France on TV and online in the United States, United Kingdom, Africa, and throughout the world.
Officially, this is No. 3 vs. No. 4, but on the whole, the two most deserved teams have reached the end of the road.
Despite a slew of ailments before the competition, France has been fantastic, overwhelming opponents with the speed and precision of Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann’s counter-attacks. With No. 9 Olivier Giroud in top form, they’re a difficult opponent.
Nonetheless, Messi and Argentina will be licking their chops after witnessing the long stretches of pressure the French suffered in their quarterfinal against Morocco. The Albiceleste are structured well to possess the ball and deal with the pace on the break against the France formation.
So, who will take home the trophy? Let’s break down the thrilling, star-studded World Cup final that awaits us.
Argentina will face off against reigning champions France in the 2022 World Cup final on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium.
After the 2018 event, which was finally won by France, it could have been another final between Croatia and France, but Lionel Scaloni’s men changed the script with a 3-0 triumph against the Checkered Ones in the semi-finals.
Following that, the French defeated underdog favourites Morocco 2-0 in the second semi-final to become the first holders to appear in consecutive finals in 24 years, and are now in contention to break a 60-year-old curse after Brazil successfully defended their championship in 1962.
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
The game may be seen live and on-demand in the United States (U.S.) on fuboTV (start with a free trial). New users may sign up for a seven-day free trial of the live sports streaming service, which is available on iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV, as well as through a web browser.
The game may also be seen on FOX (English) and Telemundo in the United States (Spanish).
In the United Kingdom (UK), BBC One, ITV1 and STV will broadcast the game, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, as well as ITVX and STV Player.
In India, the Sports18 network has the exclusive rights to broadcast World Cup events on television, with streaming options available on JioCinema.
Argentina vs France date & kick-off time
| Game: | Argentina vs France |
| Date: | December 18, 2022 |
| Kick-off: | 10 am ET / 3 pm GMT / 5 pm CAT / 8:30 pm IST |
| Venue: | Lusail Stadium, Lusail |
Argentina vs France Preview:
Argentina squad & team news
Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel both return from one-match bans, but the latter may lose his starting spot to a developing Nahuel Molina, while Acuna may replace Nicolas Tagliafico in a four-man backline with Lisandro Martinez on the bench.
Other than Alejandro Gomez being a doubt owing to an ankle sprain and Angel Di Maria needing to pass a fitness test to start ahead of Leandro Paredes, La Albiceleste will be keenly watching Messi after the maestro was addressing his hamstring in the semi-finals.
It will be up to Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez to demonstrate their value as substitutes once more.
Argentina’s likely starting XI is as follows: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | E. Martinez, Armani, Rulli |
| Defenders | Otamendi, Acuna, Tagliafico, Pezzella, Molina, Montiel, Foyth, Romero, Li. Martinez |
| Midfielders | Paredes, De Paul, Rodriguez, Palacios, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Gomez |
| Forwards | Messi, La. Martinez, Dybala, Almada, Alvarez, Di Maria, Correa |
France squad and team news
Despite a viral outbreak in the camp, the entire France squad exercised on Saturday. Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot missed the semi-final against Morocco owing to alleged illness caused by the continual air conditioning in Qatar stadiums, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez missed training on Friday.
Kingsley Coman, Raphael Varane, and Ibrahima Konate also called in sick earlier this week, and the team physicians will make the final decision on their availability.
Rabiot’s inclusion forces Youssouf Fofana to give up his place in the midfield, while Upamecano’s participation is contingent on Konate’s health – or lack thereof, with Coman doubtful to start and Theo Hernandez anticipated to preserve his spot despite a couple blows against Morocco.
That attack will definitely be fueled by Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, who will play immediately behind Olivier Giroud, who has been given the huge duty up front.
France’s likely starting lineup is as follows: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Lloris, Areola, Mandanda |
| Defenders | Pavard, Kounde, Varane, Disasi, Saliba, Hernandez, Konate, Upamecano |
| Midfielders | Rabiot, Tchouameni, Fofana, Guendouzi, Veretout, Camavinga |
| Forwards | Coman, Mbappe, Giroud, Griezmann, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Thuram |
Argentina vs France betting odds
If you’re wondering how even this World Cup final is likely to be, consider these odds: both sides are given plus odds to win in regulation time and negative odds to raise the World Cup trophy, with almost nothing in between.
Some bookmakers have even divided it down the middle, unable to favor one side or the other. France was slightly favored in certain spots early on, but it now appears that Argentina has the advantage, with the odds changing in their favor.
Both teams have a world-class superstar and have surrounded that star with top-tier players.
What bookies are certain of is a defensive fight, as the under 2.5 goal total is a short price, virtually at 1/2 odds, while the over receives the plus treatment.
However, the oddsmakers are unable to predict whether both teams will score, implying that a 1-1 draw is the most likely conclusion.
Read More: Croatia vs Morocco World cup 2022 Third place Live, Time, Preview and more
BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes offer odds (Australia).
Argentina vs France: Prediction
This may be the game that determines who the best team in the world is, but it is not a match between two immaculate outfits. Indeed, this is only the second time in men’s World Cup history (the first since 1978) that both finalists have already lost a match in the tournament.
Argentina preserved their best performance for a stunning semi-final triumph over Croatia, but they remain overly reliant on one (albeit great) 35-year-old. France kept their first clean sheet in Qatar against Morocco, but they “suffered so much,” as Hugo Lloris revealed.
There’s enough skill on both sides for this game, which lacks a clear favourite, to be decided by a stroke of luck. However, there has been plenty of evidence this winter that a mistake may be far more likely and consequential. Argentina, with Messi and thunderous travelling support, may just edge off Mbappe and co.
Prediction: Argentina 2-1 France
