Only two nations have ever won the World Cup twice in a row: Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1962. In the modern era, no team has managed the feat, though several have come close. Argentina, who lost the 1990 final, will attempt to break this pattern in 2026.
Lionel Scaloni's side heads to North America as defending champions, having won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. The team now plays with confidence befitting its status, having topped the Conmebol qualifiers with 38 points, including a 4-1 win over Brazil in March 2025.
The squad retains 17 members from 2022, led by Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament. Key players include Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Julian Alvarez. New faces such as Nico Paz and Valentin Barco are expected to make an impact, while Angel Di Maria's absence is noted.
Argentina's style blends resilience and flair, as shown in Qatar with gritty wins over Australia and the Netherlands, and a 3-0 demolition of Croatia. However, questions remain about the quality of recent opponents, with friendlies against Puerto Rico, Angola, and Mauritania. Messi's fitness has also been a concern after a muscle strain, though he returned against Iceland.
Despite these doubts, Argentina enters the tournament as favourites, aiming to become the first team to retain the World Cup in the modern era. The golden generation seeks one final triumph before an inevitable transition.
