Lamine Yamal makes World Cup final history as Spain face Argentina

NEW YORK: Spain's Lamine Yamal has written his name in history books after being named in the starting line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina here at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

The Barcelona winger has become the third-youngest player ever to feature in a FIFA World Cup final at the age of 19 years and six days old, joining an elite group of footballing greats.

Brazil icon Pele remains the youngest player to appear in a World Cup final, having played against Sweden in 1958 aged just 17 years and 249 days.

Italy's Giuseppe Bergomi ranks second after featuring in the 1982 final against West Germany at 18 years and 201 days.

Yamal's Spain teammate Pau Cubarsi has also reached a significant milestone. The 19-year-old defender, aged 19 years and 178 days, is now the fourth-youngest player to appear in a World Cup final.

Rounding out the top five is France captain Kylian Mbappe, who was 19 years and 207 days old when he played in France's victorious 2018 World Cup final against Croatia.

It is pertinent to mention that Pele inspired Brazil to victory in 1958, Bergomi lifted the trophy with Italy in 1982, and Mbappe became a world champion with France in 2018.

Spain will now hope their teenage star can follow the same path by helping secure the country's second FIFA World Cup title.

Yamal has also set another remarkable record in his first World Cup appearance, as he become the first teenager in football history to start both a UEFA European Championship final and a FIFA World Cup final.