With the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain just hours away, excitement continues to build across the sporting world. As both teams prepare for one of the biggest matches in international football, Argentina have received support from several high-profile athletes, with the latest backing coming from Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Speaking before Indiana’s dominant 108-88 victory over the New York Liberty on Saturday, Clark was asked which side she would be supporting in the World Cup final. The WNBA standout made her choice clear, throwing her support behind Argentina as the defending champions chase back-to-back titles, while Spain aim to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time since their triumph in 2010.
Caitlin Clark Reveals Who She Wants to Win World Cup Final
Caitlin Clark has added her name to the growing list of sports stars backing Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain. With the two football giants set to battle for the title, the Indiana Fever guard was asked which team she would be supporting and made her choice without any hesitation. Argentina are chasing consecutive World Cup crowns, while Spain are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2010.
Clark revealed that her support comes down to one player — Lionel Messi. “I’m cheering for Argentina,” Clark said. “I want Messi, so I’ll be cheering hard. … I’ll definitely be cheering.” Her admiration for the Argentine captain reflects the sentiment shared by several athletes from different sports, many of whom have rallied behind Messi and Argentina ahead of the final.
While Clark is now one of the WNBA’s biggest stars, her sporting background extends beyond basketball. Before making headlines with her record-breaking 45-point, 10-assist performance for the Indiana Fever against the Seattle Storm on Friday, she was also a standout soccer player during her time at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa. That connection to the sport makes her backing of Argentina and Messi an even more natural choice.
Which Other Sports Stars Are Backing Argentina Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup Final?
Several high-profile sports stars have joined Caitlin Clark in backing Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain. NFL legend Tom Brady, NBA superstar Kevin Durant and tennis great Novak Djokovic have all publicly shown their admiration for Lionel Messi and the reigning world champions during FIFA events in New York. Brady and Djokovic appeared alongside Messi, Lionel Scaloni and Emiliano Martínez at Fanatics Fest, where they praised the Argentina captain and even joined the squad for a memorable group photo. Durant also interacted with the Argentine contingent, further highlighting the widespread support for Messi’s team.
Djokovic has been particularly vocal about Argentina’s chances. Speaking during the FIFA fan event, the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted the final would be “hard to predict” but also said there is a “very good chance” Argentina could retain the title. During the panel, he asked Messi and Scaloni how they deal with pressure in high-stakes matches, and after hearing Messi’s response, Djokovic thanked the captain with a heartfelt, “Gracias, Leo.” Earlier this month, he also compared Argentina’s fighting spirit to his own resilience, joking after a marathon Wimbledon victory, “It would be nice to play 90 minutes like him.”
Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has also been closely following Argentina’s World Cup campaign while working as a tournament pundit. Although he praised Messi’s brilliance and credited him for inspiring Argentina’s comeback victory over England, Zlatan has predicted Spain to lift the trophy, believing their possession-based style could prove decisive in the final. Even so, his admiration for Messi and Argentina’s run has been evident throughout the tournament, adding to the growing list of global sporting icons invested in Sunday’s blockbuster showdown.
