Argentina arrives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the reigning champions.
La Albiceleste stunned the soccer world in Qatar four years ago by defeating France in one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played, ending the country’s 36-year drought for its third World Cup title.
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest soccer player in history, was awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball after scoring seven goals and three assists in the tournament, and has since been on a tear in the MLS.
He’s already racked up 62 goals and 36 assists across 67 games with Inter Miami, and won his record eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023.
Since their 2022 World Cup victory, Argentina has kept its core largely intact, winning another Copa America in 2024 and keeping its place among the sport’s elite.
With Messi returning for a record sixth (and likely final) World Cup, and a roster packed with talent like Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez, and Julian Alvarez, Argentina enters as one of the favorites.
But with kickoff just 48 hours away, ESPN’s James Taylor pointed out some real concerns that have led to questions about whether this version of Argentina is truly strong enough to repeat.
Taylor wrote that defending the title “won’t be easy” because the squad “has gotten older and arguably worse,” while also dealing with injuries and inconsistent form from some of their top players, notably Romero, Mac Allister, and Alvarez.
Messi turns 39 on June 24 and is dealing with a muscle strain in his left hamstring that’s kept him sidelined since May 25, after his final match with Inter Miami (he recorded two assists in the 6-4 win).
The injury forced Argentina to manage his workload carefully, with recent reports indicating he “could play some minutes” in Argentina’s friendly against Iceland on Tuesday.
Argentina’s World Cup opener kicks off just a week later in Kansas City.
Those same reports noted how Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s starting goalkeeper, is also still rehabbing from a fractured finger.
As if all of that wasn’t already enough, Romero is still working his way back from a lateral knee ligament injury, while Nahuel Molina, the team’s starting right back, and Gonzalo Montiel are also dealing with muscle tears.
Just as significant is the absence of Angel Di Maria.
The legendary winger retired from international soccer after helping Argentina capture its 2024 Copa America title, removing one of the team’s clutchest performers. He consistently delivered in finals and knockout matches across four World Cups alongside Messi.
Replacing that level of production, experience, and familiarity won’t be easy.
Argentina’s group features Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, three very beatable opponents. But the real challenge comes after.
Any deep run would put them against more serious contenders like Spain, France, England, Portugal, or Germany in the later knockout rounds.
With one of the older lineups in the tournament, it feels hard to imagine that Argentina can pull off the same magic that lifted them up four years ago.