Atletico Madrid is set to make history in international football after having 10 of its players represented in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium.
The remarkable achievement places the Spanish club at the heart of the tournament’s biggest match, ensuring Atletico Madrid will have World Cup winners within its squad regardless of which nation emerges victorious.
The club’s finalists are divided between both teams:
Spain: Marcos Llorente, Alex Baena, Marc Pubill, and Alejandro Grimaldo.
Argentina: Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada, and Nico Gonzalez.
For experienced internationals such as Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez, and Thiago Almada, the final presents an opportunity to claim a second FIFA World Cup title. Meanwhile, several of their Atletico teammates will be chasing football’s most prestigious trophy for the first time.
Football analysts have described Atletico Madrid’s representation in the World Cup final as a rare milestone, with few clubs in modern football history contributing as many players to a single final.
While the achievement highlights the club’s growing global influence, it also creates an early challenge for head coach Diego Simeone ahead of the new season. FIFA regulations require players involved in the final to take a mandatory three-week break after the tournament, meaning all 10 finalists will only be available to rejoin Atletico Madrid’s pre-season preparations on August 10.
Their absence leaves Simeone with a reduced squad for the opening weeks of training as the club begins preparations for the upcoming campaign.
