Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has laid out the teams he considers the biggest obstacles to his side's bid for back-to-back World Cup titles in 2026. Speaking with Diario Olé, the 48-year-old tactician named nine international squads that he believes have the quality and structure to challenge La Albiceleste in North America.
The contenders: from Europe to South America and Africa
Scaloni's shortlist includes European heavyweights Spain, France, England, Portugal, and Croatia. From South America, he pointed to Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia. The only non-European, non-American side he mentioned was Morocco, the African team that reached the semifinals in Qatar 2022. After initially forgetting Croatia, Scaloni quickly corrected himself, acknowledging that the 2018 runners-up remain a force.
“There are ten or twelve teams that will enter a fierce knockout battle trying to reach the final,” Scaloni said, emphasizing that the margin for error in a World Cup is razor-thin.
Luck and resilience: the lessons from Qatar 2022
The Argentine manager avoided naming a single favorite, arguing that winning a World Cup requires more than talent. He recalled Argentina's dramatic run in Qatar, where they lost their opening match to Saudi Arabia before surviving penalty shootouts against the Netherlands and France. “We were one of the teams with the most obstacles along the way,” Scaloni said. “It’s not enough to play well or be the protagonist; many factors have to play in your favor for the path to be clear.”
That perspective is grounded in history: only Italy and Brazil have ever won consecutive World Cups. Scaloni knows that repeating the feat will demand internal stability and external alignment.
Messi's preparation and Argentina's group stage
As the squad trains in the United States, captain Lionel Messi has been working on a personalized rehab routine away from the main group. Early reports indicate the team is optimistic about his fitness for the opener. Argentina is drawn into Group J, where they will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
For a deeper look at potential dark horses, check out our analysis of three surprise teams that could shake up the 2026 World Cup. And for more on Messi's future, read about Messi's retirement timeline as discussed by Scaloni and Cassano.
