Lionel Scaloni isn’t exactly known for bold proclamations. The understated Argentine coach typically lets his team’s results do the talking. But ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he’s made something close to a declaration: this squad is as good as, or better than, the one that lifted the trophy in Qatar.
Scaloni’s case for a repeat
In recent interviews, Scaloni has positioned Argentina among 10 to 12 teams with a realistic shot at the title. He considers winning the tournament again “very possible,” while acknowledging the obvious difficulty of defending a World Cup crown. Only two nations in history have managed back-to-back titles, which gives you a sense of the mountain Argentina is trying to climb.
The 26-man squad for the tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, was officially unveiled around May 28-29. Lionel Messi, who will captain the side in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, was included. In a 3-0 friendly victory over Iceland on June 9, Messi came off the bench and scored a penalty.
Opta’s data models currently give Argentina a 10.4% chance of winning the tournament. That places them as serious contenders, though not outright favorites. Spain holds higher odds in those projections. There are 48 teams competing in the expanded 2026 format.
