Argentina are chasing football immortality.
Winning the World Cup in 2022 already guaranteed this group a place in Argentina history, but now they have the chance to do something even bigger.
Only two countries have ever successfully defended the World Cup, and honestly, after everything this team has achieved under Lionel Scaloni, there is genuine belief in Argentina that they can do it again.
The pressure is obviously enormous, but this squad is used to carrying it by now.
How Argentina Reached the World Cup
- Qualification record: 12W-4L-2D
- Goals for / against: 31 / 10
- Top scorer: Lionel Messi (8)
- Top assists: Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernández, Julián Alvarez, Exequiel Palacios (3)
Argentina qualified comfortably in the end, finishing top of South America without too much drama.
That still means something in CONMEBOL qualification because there are no easy games there. You are constantly travelling, constantly under pressure, and every away game feels hostile.
What impressed me most was how Argentina continued evolving beyond just relying on Messi.
Of course, he still decides games, but players like Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez now feel just as important to the rhythm of the team.
Argentina’s Group Fixtures
- Argentina vs Algeria – June 16 – Kansas, USA
- Argentina vs Austria – June 22 – Texas, USA
- Jordan vs Argentina – June 27 – Texas, USA
On paper, Argentina should comfortably get through the group.
But Austria could actually be awkward because of how aggressive and organised they are without the ball. Those are sometimes the kinds of teams Argentina struggle with most.
Why This Argentina Team Still Works
The biggest strength of this Argentina side is not just talent, tt’s trust.
Every player understands their role, and there is a calmness to this group that you only really see with teams who have already won together. Even when matches become chaotic, Argentina rarely panic anymore.
Scaloni deserves huge credit for that.
Tactically, Argentina still control games through midfield. Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul give the team intensity, passing quality, and balance.
And then there is Messi. Even at this stage of his career, there are moments where the game still bends around him.
Players Who Will Define Our Tournament
Messi will always be the centre of attention, especially if this really is his final World Cup.
But for me, Álvarez is becoming the true engine of the attack now. His movement, work rate, and intelligence make everything easier for the players around him.
I’m also really interested to see how players like Thiago Almada handle the responsibility of replacing the creativity and big-game impact left behind by Ángel Di María.
And quietly, I think Nico Paz could become one of the breakout young players of the tournament if given opportunities.
The Tactical Questions
The biggest concern is probably age and physical intensity.
Some of the core players from 2022 are still absolutely elite, but another World Cup run demands huge energy levels, especially with an extra knockout round this time.
There are also moments where Argentina’s defence can still look vulnerable against direct counter-attacks, particularly when the midfield loses control.
But when you have Emiliano Martinez in goal, there is always belief you can survive difficult moments.
And this team has become incredibly good at surviving moments.
What Argentina Expects This Summer
The expectation in Argentina is very simple: compete to win it again.
That sounds obvious, but after the Copa América wins and the World Cup triumph, fans now look at this team differently. There is total belief in Scaloni and total belief in the mentality of this squad.
Of course, everyone understands how difficult back-to-back World Cups would be, especially with stronger European teams waiting later in the tournament.
But Argentina fans are not travelling to North America hoping for a respectable run.
They genuinely believe this team can make history.
Martín’s Predicted Argentina XI
Formation: 4-3-3
GK: Emiliano Martínez
RB: Nahuel Molina
CB: Cristian Romero
CB: Lisandro Martínez
LB: Nicolás Tagliafico
CM: Alexis Mac Allister
CM: Enzo Fernández
CM: Rodrigo De Paul
RW: Lionel Messi
LW: Thiago Almada
FW: Julián Álvarez
My Expectation for Argentina
I think Argentina will go very deep again.
There is too much experience, too much understanding between the players, and too much belief within the squad for them not to be one of the final teams standing.
Whether they can actually defend the trophy probably depends on how much magic Messi still has left in the biggest moments.
And honestly, after everything he’s already given Argentina, nobody here is doubting him anymore.
Quickfire
- Best group-stage fixture: Argentina vs Austria
- Biggest concern: Defensive transitions against elite teams
- Player I’m most excited for: Julián Álvarez
- Potential breakout player: Nico Paz
- Team I least want Argentina to face: Spain
