World Cup 2022 final LIVE: Argentina vs France team news and lineups as Di Maria starts with Messi

Argentina play France in the World Cup final in Qatar as Lionel Messi faces one last chance to win football’s greatest prize. Messi’s final appearance at the World Cup could see the 35-year-old win the tournament for the first time, perhaps cementing his position as the greatest player in the history of the sport.

Standing in Messi and Argentina’s way are the defending champions France, as Les Bleus aim to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back World Cups. France forward Kylian Mbappe comes into the final level with Messi at the top of the golden boot standings on five goals, as two of the game’s biggest stars go head to head on the grandest stage.

It will decide a World Cup that has produced shocks and stunning moments on the pitch, while being dominated by controversy off the field in Qatar. But amid coverage of the host country’s human rights record, treatment of migrant workers and attitude to LGBTQ+ rights, Qatar has also been presented with a dream final where history will be made.

Will Messi achieve immortality by finally winning the World Cup, or can France spoil the party to defend their title? Follow all the build-up and action in our live blog, below: 

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France latest updates

• Argentina play France in World Cup final in Qatar with kick-off at 3pm GMT

• Both countries have won the World Cup twice before

• Football icon Lionel Messi chasing history in his final World Cup match

• French star Kylian Mbappe trying to win his second World Cup aged only 23

Argentina vs France team changes

13:30 , Michael Jones

Lionel Scaloni makes two changes to the Argentina side that started against Croatia in the semi-final. Leandro Paredes and Nicolas Tagliafico are out with Angel Di Maria and Marco Acuna replacing them.

There are also two changes for Didier Deschamps France. Ibrahima Konate is replaced in defence with Dayot Upamencano whilst Adrian Rabiot returns to midfield ahead of Youssouf Fofana.

Argentina vs France official line-ups

13:26 , Michael Jones

Argentina XI: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Álvarez.

France XI: Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Antoine Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé.

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France early team news

13:24 , Michael Jones

Argentina have a similar selection dilemma to France off the back of changes in the semi-final, this time with full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel, who sat out the win over Croatia through suspension.

Nahuel Molina should keep his place, but Acuna could step in for Nicolas Tagliafico. Angel Di Maria should be approaching full fitness after injury and may push for a start, but Scaloni may preserve what has been an excellent midfield quartet.

Predicted line-ups

Argentina XI: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

France XI: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France TV channel and how to watch

13:17 , Michael Jones

When is Argentina vs France?

The game is scheduled to kick off at 3pm GMT (7pm local time) on Sunday 18 December.

The final will take place at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

How can I watch it?

The game will be shown live and free-to-air in the UK on BBC One, ITV 1 and STV 1.

You can watch a live stream on the BBC iPlayer, ITV X and STV Player, while the BBC Sport and ITV websites will also provide a live stream.

France prepared to rip up the script and spoil Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream

13:11 , Michael Jones

It seems as though the world has a team it would prefer to win the World Cup final. Lionel Messi’s image feels ever-present in Qatar. Argentina have probably had the largest contingent of fans in Doha throughout the tournament, but Messi’s popularity in Qatar appears to make him the home favourite as well. The irresistible sense that he deserves to win the World Cup, and that it is now or never, has brought a coalition of support.

Luka Modric reacted to Croatia’s defeat in the semi-final by saying he hoped Messi would emerge triumphant, a Real Madrid great getting behind Barcelona’s greatest player. The original and World Cup-winning Ronaldo said he could never support Argentina, but wanted Messi to win. From Luis Enrique to Andriy Shevchenko to even the former France forward Andre-Pierre Gignac, it seems as though everyone would like to see Messi with the greatest prize of all.

Almost everyone, anyway, and not merely because Cristiano Ronaldo may become a supporter of France for one day. Didier Deschamps has no problem with the status of potential party-pooper, anyway. “I am fine being alone; that doesn’t bother me,” said the France manager.

France prepared to rip up the script and spoil Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream

How Julian Alvarez became Argentina’s perfect foil for Lionel Messi

13:04 , Michael Jones

It is not often that a World Cup final comes around and a team playing in the North West Counties First Division South has a direct interest. Abbey Hey, based in Gorton in south east Manchester and not far at all from the Etihad Stadium, are awaiting the return of their two highest-profile players Rafael and Agustin Alvarez from international duty. Their younger brother Julian’s international duty, to be precise.

Just as Julian Alvarez’s family followed him to Manchester, they followed him to Qatar, and that meant the budding careers of his brothers in English football’s tenth tier had to be put on hold for however long Argentina remained at the tournament. At least Rafael and Agustin - or ‘Punchi’ and ‘Turron’, as they are known among the Alvarez family - have not missed much.

The cold snap, sub-zero temperatures and generally inclement winter weather back in the North West have put paid to five of Abbey Hey’s last nine fixtures, including an Edward Case Cup third round tie away to Eccleshall that now has to be rearranged for a third time. The second attempt to fulfil the fixture was abandoned halfway through due to poor visibility while Abbey Hey were 3-1 up.

How Julian Alvarez became Argentina’s perfect foil for Lionel Messi

Argentina vs France

12:57 , Michael Jones

The teams have met three times before at the World Cup.

Argentina won both group matches in 1930 and 1978, but France were victorious in their only knockout encounter, winning 4-3 in the last 16 in 2018.

Who will triumph this time around?

Croatia claim World Cup bronze as Morocco close historic campaign in defeat

12:51 , Michael Jones

Walid Regragui had called it the booby prize, but it was reward enough for Croatia’s great overachievers. Silver medallists in 2018, they now pocket the bronze for coming third to mean the greatest World Cup campaign by an African side culminates in a fourth-place finish for Morocco.

If neither scenario felt likely when these teams shared a stalemate to kick off their campaigns in forgettable fashion, a relatively low-pressure match had a liberating effect and afforded rather more entertainment. Perhaps Croatia were stung by the criticisms that, penalty shootouts apart, they had only defeated Canada but they scored two brilliant goals. Josko Gvardiol got the first and perhaps the finest centre-back of the World Cup showed that his tournament should be remembered for much more than being embarrassed by Lionel Messi. The decider came from the outstanding Mislav Orsic; granted only 26 minutes before this – which was still enough time for him to get an assist against Brazil – he suggested he had been underused.

As Zlatko Dalic made five changes, his charges indicated a small country still boasts some strength in depth. Lovro Majer was hugely influential, offering Croatia hope for their midfield when Luka Modric finally gives way. The captain himself ended his World Cup career with an inadvertent assist of sorts for Morocco, but also with some typically elegant passing and a display of doggedness; a youthful 37, he completed the 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Ivan Perisic’s assist at the right end put him joint top of that particular chart.

Croatia claim World Cup bronze as Morocco close historic campaign in defeat

Luka Modric gives update on Croatia future after playing last World Cup game

12:45 , Michael Jones

Luka Modric has confirmed that his final World Cup game will not send him into international retirement but is unsure at the moment if he will carry on for Croatia until Euro 2024.

The 37-year-old midfielder captained Croatia in the 2-1 win over Morocco which meant that his side finished third in Qatar, following on from a second-placed finish in Russia four years ago.

Modric, who has won a national record 162 caps, is considering playing in Germany in Euro 2024 but has vowed to be available for the Nations League finals in June. Croatia, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands are the four semi-finalists.

Luka Modric gives update on Croatia future after playing last World Cup game

Morocco passion spills over to illustrate why World Cup third place play-off truly matters

12:38 , Michael Jones

An innocuous moment to many, but as Yahia Attiyat Allah roared in the face of the referee after half an hour of this World Cup third place play-off, you understood how much this really meant to Morocco.

The Qatari official Abdulrahman Al-Jassim had pointed for a goal kick after a mesmerising move led by Sofiane Boufal.

The Angers midfielder darted in from the left and swapped passes with Bilal El Khannous to slice through the heart of Croatia. And just as Boufal prepared to apply the decisive finish, Josip Sutalo brought the move to an abrupt halt with a fantastic block.

Instinct told you it was a corner, but upon further inspection, there was a clear deflection back off Boufal. Yet Morocco were incensed, this was no moment for desperation, with the game finely balanced at one apiece.

But this Morocco play on the edge, brimming with passion and, admittedly, sometimes guilty of letting it spill over.

Morocco passion spills over to illustrate why third place play-off truly matters

Neville happy that Southgate is staying on

12:30 , Michael Jones

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville gave his reaction to the news that Gareth Southgate is staying on as England boss.

“I’m happy. It is the right decision. When I said last week that it was going to be discussed in the New Year I don’t think it would work leaving it to hang for so long.” he said, “I felt as though it needed to be dealt it.

“The fact it has come out is welcome. It puts it to bed and allows everyone to focus for the next 18 months. There will be a proper succession plan now.

“I wouldn’t have felt Gareth leaving, but it also didn’t feel like him or England had a proper succession plan in place. It is the right thing to do.

“We have played well in the World Cup - we just came out the wrong side of a 50-50 match. That happens in football sometimes. We always want to an autopsy and someone to blame but I don’t think it exists in this tournament.”

England’s Euro 2024 qualfying campaign

12:23 , Michael Jones

With the news that Gareth Southgate is staying on as England manager here’s a look at what’s in store for the national team next year.

Their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 starts on 23rd March 2023 against Italy in Naples before they face Ukraine at Wembley on three days later.

In June they travel to Malta for a game on 16th June then take on North Macedonia at Old Trafford on 19th June.

The Three Lions face Ukraine away in the only match of September 2023 before welcoming Italy and Malta to Wembley on 17th October and 17th November respectively.

The qualifying campaign ends with an away trip to North Macedonia on 20th November.

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

12:42 , Michael Jones

Scaloni on Messi: “Let’s hope that if it’s Leo’s last game, that we can win the title. It would be great and the important thing is to enjoy it... What better scenario than in a World Cup final.”

Gareth Southgate: England manager’s six-year timeline at the helm

12:16 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate’s England reign will continue after he decided to remain in the job.

The 52-year-old was considering his future in the wake of last weekend’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France at the World Cup.

Southgate has a contract until the 2024 European Championship but admitted to feeling “conflicted” about staying on, given what has often been a difficult 18 months.

But the former defender is now confirmed to be staying in charge for a fourth major tournament. Here we take a look at the timeline of his six-year tenure to date:

Gareth Southgate’s six-year timeline as England manager

Who is Argentina vs France official Szymon Marciniak?

12:09 , Michael Jones

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak is in charge of the World Cup 2022 final between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Marciniak was given the honour of reffing the showpiece final by Fifa’s chairman of referees Pierluigi Collina, who has been assessing the officials across the tournament in Qatar. He is the first-ever Pole to referee a World Cup final and he is being assisted by compatriots Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz while another countryman - Tomasz Kwiatkowski - is the VAR for the game.

Marciniak has already taken charge of both Argentina and France in Qatar. He had the whistle for Les Bleus’ win over Denmark in the group stages - dishing out three yellow cards - before then officiating La Albiceleste‘s victory over Australia in the last 16.

World Cup 2022: Best moments, disappointments and players of the tournament in Qatar

12:03 , Michael Jones

Argentina and France have emerged as finalists for the World Cup 2022 after some enthralling football. There have been plenty of upsets in Qatar, while some of the world’s best have dazzled throughout the tournament.

After Saudi Arabia delivered Argentina a shock, Lionel Messi has carried his country to the final, looking for redemption after heartache in the final eight years ago against Germany in Rio de Janeiro.

From the best moments, the most outstanding player (no surprises here) and the verdict on England and Wales, who both shared disappointment.

Here Independent Sport breaks down the best and worst from Qatar:

Best World Cup moments, disappointments and players of the tournament

France hoping ‘adrenaline and excitement’ helps them beat illness in World Cup final

11:57 , Michael Jones

France captain Hugo Lloris believes the “adrenaline and excitement” of a World Cup final with Argentina will ensure all his teammates are fit to play, despite illness affecting several members of the squad.

On the eve of the showpiece event in Qatar, Les Bleus have a number of players suffering with illness as they aim to retain their status as world champions.

Defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate did not train on Friday, with the pair reportedly the latest to be struck down after Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman felt unwell for Wednesday evening’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco.

Varane, Konate and Coman did train on Saturday to allay fears of a defensive fitness crisis for head coach Didier Deschamps heading into the final.

France hoping ‘adrenaline and excitement’ helps them beat illness in World Cup final

World Cup Golden Boot: Messi and Mbappe vie for top goalscorer at Qatar 2022

11:50 , Michael Jones

The Golden Boot is up for grabs as Argentina face France in the World Cup final, with as many as four players still able to win the prestigious top goalscorer prize.

All eyes are on Lionel Messi as the Argentina captain looks to win the World Cup for the first time on his final appearance at the tournament, but the 35-year-old could also win the Golden Boot for the first time in Qatar.

Messi comes into the World Cup final level with France star Kylian Mbappe on five goals. Messi has scored more penalties than Mbappe, but he also has the edge on assists. All of course could change during the final at the Lusail Stadium.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and France’s Olivier Giroud are still in contention to win the Golden Boot as they come into the final on four goals each.

World Cup Golden Boot: Who is the top goalscorer at Qatar 2022?

‘Argentina will win World Cup’ says Evra

11:44 , Michael Jones

In a conversation with Betfair, Patrice Evra backed Argentina to win the World Cup this afternoon ahead of his own country, France.

“Argentina will beat France on penalties and break my heart.” said the former Manchester United left-back,

“If you watch France vs Croatia, the final in 2018, Croatia could have won that game even though the game was 4-2. The score will be very difficult to predict for France versus Argentina.

“I think Argentina will win the World Cup on penalties. It will break my heart. My other prediction would be for France to beat Argentina 3-1 in normal time, I’m not sure what to pick.”

Lionel Messi confirms Qatar final will be his final World Cup match

11:38 , Michael Jones

Lionel Messi has confirmed Sunday’s World Cup 2022 final will be his last at football’s biggest tournament.

Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in last Tuesday’s semi-final, with Messi scoring a penalty and providing a magical assist. He now has a chance to win the greatest prize in the game, after coming agonisingly close in 2014.

“I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final,” Messi said, ahead of Sunday’s showpiece fixture.

Deschamps aiming for third World Cup win

11:30 , Michael Jones

French manager, Didier Deschamps, will lift the World Cup for the third time if his team are successful against Argentina this afternoon.

Deschamps captained his country to World Cup victory in 1998 and then, as boss, guided them to another success in Russia four years ago.

He said: "I know Argentina, many people around the world, and maybe some French people, hope Lionel Messi could win the World Cup, but we’re going to do everything to achieve our objective."

Gareth Southgate: England manager’s most memorable matches in charge

11:22 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate’s England reign will continue after he decided to remain in the job. The 52-year-old was considering his future in the wake of last weekend’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France at the World Cup.

Southgate has a contract until the 2024 European Championship but admitted to feeling “conflicted” about staying on, given what has often been a difficult 18 months.

But the former defender is now confirmed to be staying in charge for a fourth major tournament.

Here, we pick out five of his most memorable matches.

Gareth Southgate’s most memorable matches as England manager

Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager after World Cup exit

11:15 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate has decided to stay on as England manager and will look to remain in charge through to the European Championships in 2024.

The Football Association confirmed: “We are delighted to confirm that Gareth Southgate is continuing as England manager, and will lead our Euro 2024 campaign.”

Southgate said he needed time to reflect on his future following England’s defeat to France in the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar last week.

The 52-year-old admitted he was conflicted and said it was important he made the “right decision” for the team, but has now decided to take England into a fourth major international tournament.

Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager after World Cup exit

Southgate to remain as England manager

11:07 , Michael Jones

England boss Gareth Southgate has decided to stay on in the job, according to reports. The 52-year-old had been mulling over his future since his team’s quarter-final loss to France last weekend.

Southgate has a contract until the end of the 2024 European Championship and has told the Football Association that he will continue in the role he has held since 2016.

His tenure as manager has also included overseeing England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and finish as runners-up at the Euros in 2021.

Argentina happy to be underdogs in World Cup final, Emiliano Martinez claims

11:00 , Michael Jones

Emiliano Martinez is ready to fight for World Cup glory alongside “the greatest player of all time” as Lionel Messi’s Argentina take on reigning champions France in Sunday’s mouth-watering final.

All eyes will be on Lusail Stadium as these nations bid to lift football’s most coveted trophy for a third time, with La Albiceleste looking to join the heroes of 1978 and 1986 in immortality.

France are looking to become just the third team in history to win two successive World Cups and some consider Didier Deschamps’ side favourites.

Argentina happy to be underdogs in World Cup final, Emiliano Martinez claims

Antoine Griezmann: France’s tireless presence – pushing them towards World Cup glory

10:52 , Michael Jones

A player not like other players at this World Cup, Antoine Griezmann‘s preparations for it weren’t like others either.

A contractual dispute with parent club Barcelona ensured the 31-year-old was restricted to playing just 29 minutes per match in the first-half of the season. A minute more and Atletico Madrid would owe their rivals €40m.

If you were to design a workload for a midfielder on the wrong side of 30 going into a mid-season World Cup, you can imagine it would look something like that. Yet if Griezmann’s build-up to this tournament saw him restricted to the periphery, his role for France once in Qatar could scarcely have been more central.

Antoine Griezmann: France’s tireless presence – pushing them towards World Cup glory

Morocco’s “fantastic achievement”

10:45 , Michael Jones

With his team having made history with their campaign, becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, Morocco boss Walid Regragui said: “We are now one of the top four teams in the world.

“If you told me we were going to finish that far and that Morocco would be number four in the world I would have accepted that straight away, there is nothing I would change.

“Tomorrow morning we will take stock and realise we have made a fantastic achievement here. Of course we are disappointed but when we wake up tomorrow we will realise what we have achieved, it was one step too far for us to win third place.”

Third place for Croatia

10:37 , Michael Jones

Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia followed up their runners-up effort at the Russia 2018 World Cup with third place in Qatar as Mislav Orsic’s fine effort secured victory over the tournament’s surprise package Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium.

Orsic struck what would prove to be the winner in the 42nd minute after Josko Gvardiol’s seventh-minute header for Dalic’s side had been cancelled out two minutes later by Achraf Dari.

Croatia skipper Luka Modric after the game vowed to continue his international career, the 37-year-old saying that while he did not know whether he would play on until Euro 2024, he wanted to do so at least until next summer’s Nations League finals.

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

10:30 , Michael Jones

If the World Cup final becomes the third to go to penalties then coaches Didier Deschamps of France and Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni should avoid the temptation to throw on a “penalty specialist” at the end of extra time - because it never works.

Data analyst Nielsen Gracenote looked at the relatively recent trend and found that of the seven players brought on at the end of extra time in the World Cup or European Championship to take a penalty, all seven missed, with five of their teams losing the shootout.

It first occurred at the 2006 World Cup, when England manager Sven Goran Eriksson decided that centre back Jamie Carragher’s experience outweighed any potential technical flaw, but was proved wrong.

It was 10 years until it happened again, at Euro 2016, while three players came on for the job at last year’s Euros and two at this year’s World Cup.

It would appear that the positive aspect of bringing on a skilled finisher, someone a coach feels can deal with the pressure, is countered by the player having not touched a ball for two hours or more, most of that time spent sitting down.

“There’s something referred to as the ‘warm-up decrement’ that is not so much about injury prevention but the degree of warm-up you would do before a motor-skill,” Matt Miller-Dicks, Senior Lecturer in Skill Acquisition in the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science at the University of Portsmouth, told Reuters.

“There is an analysis on this recently with the NBA and free throws where they found that where there was a set of double free throws, the success rate for the second throw was greater compared to the first and then equally in the case of any triple free throws the success rate increases with each successive throw.

“This points to the fact that for a specific skill like a penalty kick, if you’ve just come on as a sub you are less able to perform a motor skill with the same accuracy because you’re less prepared.”

Can Messi finally win the World Cup?

10:22 , Michael Jones

Lionel Messi, 35, has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards - presented to the best player in the world - but has never won the biggest team prize in football.

If he plays in today’s final (come on, he’ll play) Argentina’s Messi will set a new record for having played in the most World Cup matches (26), breaking the previous record set by Germany’s Lothar Matthaus.

Lionel Messi’s day of destiny is a rare shot at World Cup final redemption

10:15 , Michael Jones

In the Argentina camp, there’s an encouraging line they’ve now heard from Lionel Messi a lot through this World Cup, but that has some lament to it. The 35-year-old has been repeatedly saying how much he is enjoying this World Cup, before occasionally offering a wistful caveat.

“I would have liked to enjoy more of the games with the national team.”

Some of that sentiment is down to the “s***” he says the team suffered after the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia. Some of it is down to everything that came before, and the circus around a significant number of those 171 international appearances.

There were the three lost finals between 2014 and 2016, with Messi admitting to friends he has woken up in the middle of the night thinking of the Maracana eight years ago, when Argentina lost to Germany in the World Cup final. There was all the pressure, even some bad feeling.

“They have hit him so many times,” Cristian Romero says, “and yet he always gets back up again.”

Now, more than ever.

For Lionel Messi, it all comes down to this

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

10:05 , Ben Burrows

France have shown they can adapt to any kind of team, which could be a big asset against Argentina, who have tested out several systems during the World Cup.

“You have to be willing to suffer at times. You have to make the most of the good situations, too,” said goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris.

“Tomorrow there will be a game plan to respect. We are still studying this team and preparing for this big game. There are always things we are not prepared for.

“To face that we need a perfect mindset, to be ready to go above and beyond. We know that we are capable of playing with possession and on the counter-attack. We have a lot of fast players offensively. The strength of our team is that we can adapt to any type of scenario.”

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

09:57 , Michael Jones

The showdown at the Lusail stadium will be Didier Deschamps’ third World Cup final after he won it in 1998 as Les Bleus’ captain and then four years ago as their coach.

He oozed calm on Saturday despite the pressure of facing a team looking to give Lionel Messi his maiden World Cup title.

“I have no worries or stress. The important thing in preparing for a match like this is to remain calm,” said Deschamps.

“In a World Cup final, there is the match, but also the context which is particular. But I know that the Argentinians, and maybe some French people too, would like to see Messi win the title.”

France will be fit to play

09:50 , Michael Jones

Martinez’s counterpart, France captain Hugo Lloris, believes the “adrenaline and excitement” of a World Cup final will ensure all his team-mates are fit to play, despite illness having affected several members of Didier Deschamps’ squad.

Lloris said: “We are going to try and do our best in spite of the circumstances.

“I think thanks to the adrenaline and the excitement we will feel we will all be fit enough and ready to do whatever we can to win this last battle.”

Martinez confident ahead of final

09:43 , Michael Jones

Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, says that his team will come into the game full of confidence and belief that they can win the World Cup and explained that having Lionel Messi - who he calls the greatest player of all time - in the line-up is a massive help.

"People say France are favourites, but we have the advantage of having the greatest player of all time [Messi]," said Martinez.

"We always like to hear the opponent is the favourite because we don’t feel superior or inferior to anyone but, as I always say, we have the greatest player of all time.

“And with a good defence, we have many chances to reach our goal."

Lionel Messi has mastered a football like no one else. But is that enough?

09:35 , Michael Jones

Lionel Messi has been on this planet for 35 years, five months and 24 days, and for most of that time he has dreamt of winning the World Cup. But at around 8pm on Sunday in Lusail he will stop dreaming; whether Messi joins Pele and Diego Maradona among the pantheon of legendary World Cup winners will be known, and it will never be rewritten.

From then on he will either be the man who won the World Cup or the man who didn’t, one match defining a career already packed full of historic moments, and the strange part is there’s only so much he can do about it. Messi will have the ball at his feet for about 60-90 seconds over the course of the final, and the reality is that many of the finer details of the most important game of his life will be beyond his control.

Messi has mastered a football like no one else. But is that enough?

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

09:28 , Michael Jones

France’s Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman, who missed training on Friday with a virus, were present at the start of Saturday’s session on the eve of the World Cup final clash against Argentina.

The three players started the session, which was open to the media in the first 15 minutes.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and left back Theo Hernandez, who also missed training on Friday because of knocks to heir hip and knee respectively, were also on the pitch with the rest of the squad.

France team hit with sickness bug

09:20 , Michael Jones

France’s preparations for the World Cup final have taken a hit due to a sickness bug making its way through their camp.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot, defender Dayot Upamecano and winger Kingsley Coman all missed the semi-final versus Morocco after struggling wto shake the illness.

"We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms," said head coach Didier Deschamps. "We’re trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.

"We’re taking all necessary precautions, trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but we have had to take precautions against it."

Morocco dream of reaching even greater heights after historic World Cup run

09:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

It is 88 years since an African team first entered the World Cup and Walid Regragui had sailed into territory none of the previous 48 had ever charted. And yet, when it was put to the Morocco manager that Africa’s maiden semi-finalists are his continent’s greatest ever team, he demurred. Not yet, said the ever demanding Regragui.

Instead this most ambitious of managers has a new aim. Morocco had played three World Cup matches in the 21^st century before he led them into seven. They have not won the African Cup of Nations since 1976, the year after Regragui’s birth. That is his new target.

“I think we are one of the best African generations because we reached the semi-final but I said to the players, if you want to go down in history, you have to win the African Cup of Nations,” he said. “If we can do that then we will show we are the best generation. Before being king of the world, you need to be king in your own country so we need to dominate our continent.”

Morocco dream of reaching even greater heights after historic World Cup run

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

09:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Messi vs Mbappe sees immoral World Cup set for an immortal conclusion

Ahead of a fixture of such a scale that it can overcome most players, a figure as experienced as Didier Deschamps knows exactly what he needs to tell his squad. He’s been here before, after all, as a captain and then as the victorious manager in the last World Cup. Deschamps may have all the composure that comes with potentially being just the second coach in history to retain the trophy, but he is well aware that some players start to feel an anxious energy they can’t contain, with the knowledge that every individual could go down in history - for good or bad - infusing every moment.

As such, he of course tells the players to keep it simple. Individual roles are reduced to the most memorable missives. There is one common instruction, though.

“Get it to Kylian as soon as you can.”

That simple command for once has more complicated dimensions, since Kylian Mbappe is not the main gravitational force on this match. France cannot just leave the opposition to compromise their own play for their star. That is because there is a bigger star, a bigger gravitational force.

Lionel Messi has probably dominated the build-up to World Cup 2022 final more than any player has ever dominated any match in history.

It is as if it’s been scripted. Messi’s career might be building up to the greatest glory right at the end, after so much anguish, in what would be the perfect storyline.

Argentina vs France big match preview by Miguel Delaney

Messi vs Mbappe sees immoral World Cup set for an immortal conclusion

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

08:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Scaloni on Messi: “Let’s hope that if it’s Leo’s last game, that we can win the title. It would be great and the important thing is to enjoy it... What better scenario than in a World Cup final.”

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France

08:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed about his likely line-up to face holders France in the World Cup final.

“We already decided the strategy and we will play in a way in which we think we can hurt our rivals the most and suffer the least,” Scaloni told a news conference.

“We have our gameplan, we know how to play them and now we just have to execute, and I hope we can play a similar game as we did against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals - but win the match without having to go through the pain of a penalty shoot-out.”

“To stop Mbappe you need a collective effort. But France is more than just Mbappe. We need to focus on making a good game collectively,” Scaloni said.

“Sunday’s game is much more than Lionel Messi against Mbappe, it’s Argentina against France, it goes beyond that.

“We both have the necessary weapons so that the game can be decided by other players and not necessarily the two of them. Let’s hope it falls on our side, but there are plenty of players who can decide the game.”

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France early team news

08:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Argentina have a similar selection dilemma to France off the back of changes in the semi-final, this time with full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel, who sat out the win over Croatia through suspension.

Nahuel Molina should keep his place, but Acuna could step in for Nicolas Tagliafico. Angel Di Maria should be approaching full fitness after injury and may push for a start, but Scaloni may preserve what has been an excellent midfield quartet.

Predicted line-ups

Argentina XI: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

France XI: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France early team news

08:10 , Jamie Braidwood

France’s selection headaches were eased on the eve of the World Cup final as their whole squad took part in training. Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman, who missed training on Friday with a virus, were present at the start of Saturday’s session.

Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni and left back Theo Hernandez, who also missed training on Friday because of knocks to heir hip and knee respectively, were also on the pitch with the rest of the squad.

Didier Deschamps must also evaluate both Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano after the pair missed the win over Morocco due to illness. Both will likely be fit to play, with Rabiot almost certain to replace his replacement against Morocco in Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, but Liverpool’s Konate could keep his place after impressing once again at the back.

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France latest odds and prediction

08:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Match odds (90 minutes)

Argentina - 7/4

Draw - 21/10

France - 17/10

To win trophy

Argentina - 10/11

France - 4/5

Prediction

This game has just about everything with immense quality all over the pitch and it could come down to a moment of pure genius from any of the world class talents available to Deschamps and Scaloni. For that reason we’ll side with Messi, a man possessed and surely determined to not let this rare second chance pass him by. He may have to wait until extra-time for his moment, but we’re picking Messi to drag his side to victory once again. Argentina 2-1 France AET.

World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France TV channel and how to watch

08:00 , Jamie Braidwood

When is Argentina vs France?

The game is scheduled to kick off at 3pm GMT (7pm local time) on Sunday 18 December.

The final will take place at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

How can I watch it?

The game will be shown live and free-to-air in the UK on BBC One, ITV 1 and STV 1.

You can watch a live stream on the BBC iPlayer, ITV X and STV Player, while the BBC Sport and ITV websites will also provide a live stream.

World Cup final: Argentina vs France

07:38 , Lawrence Ostlere

Welcome to our live build-up ahead of the World Cup final. It’s Argentina vs France, Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Scaloni vs Didier Deschamps. We’ll have all the latest right here ahead of kick-off at 3pm GMT.