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The journey of the Argentina national team at the upcoming 2026 World Cup is expected to draw intense attention throughout the tournament.

That comes as no surprise given Argentina’s status as the defending champions of the prestigious quadrennial event.

The occasion carries even more weight, as the 2026 World Cup is widely predicted to mark Lionel Messi’s final dance on the international stage.

As a result, fans are eagerly anticipating how La Albiceleste, under coach Lionel Scaloni, will perform in this edition of football’s biggest spectacle.

Whether they manage to defend their crown or face an early exit before the final, Argentina’s campaign will certainly be one of the main attractions.

Just three days ago, on Friday (29 May 2026), Scaloni announced the 26-player roster he has chosen to represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

The majority of the players selected by Scaloni are familiar faces who helped secure Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The list includes Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cristian Romero.

Meanwhile, names such as Franco Armani, Juan Foyth, German Pezzella, Marcos Acuna, Angel Di Maria, Alejandro Gomez, Guido Rodriguez, Paulo Dybala, and Angel Correa—who were part of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad—were left out this time for various reasons.

Among the newcomers is young talent Nico Paz, who has impressed this season with Como 1907.

However, fellow youngsters Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) and Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid) were not included in Scaloni’s final selection.

When asked about the reasoning behind his player choices, Scaloni explained that numerous factors were considered.

He highlighted the importance of team needs and player roles that could enhance Argentina’s performance during the tournament.

“We have players suited for various roles, and if everything goes according to plan, this squad list gives us more dynamism and verticality when we need it,” Scaloni told DSports, as quoted by FIFA’s official website.

“We’ve already established our style of play, and we won’t be changing it,” he continued. “If a situation arises where we need to adapt, we’ll do so.”

In another interview, Scaloni admitted that being the reigning champions would naturally place his team under the spotlight at the 2026 World Cup.

However, he insisted that such attention would not distract him, emphasizing his focus on maintaining high performance levels throughout the competition.

“We are aware that our opponents will approach games differently because we are the defending champions,” Scaloni noted.

“What matters most is that we are there, and once the tournament begins, it’s all about football—anything can happen,” he added.

The burden of being the titleholder is never easy, particularly at the World Cup. Historically, only one nation has successfully defended its title—Brazil, which won consecutive championships in 1958 and 1962.

Aside from Brazil, no other country has managed to lift the trophy in back-to-back editions. Even France, the 2018 champions, only reached the final in 2022 before losing to Argentina.

This underlines how defending the World Cup title remains one of football’s toughest tasks, regardless of a team’s pedigree.

Local Opinion on Argentina’s Chances to Retain the Title

Speaking on Argentina’s prospects of retaining their title at the 2026 World Cup, Adrian, a contributor from Spieltag Indonesia, shared his thoughts on the matter.

Adrian began by pointing out that Scaloni’s continued presence as head coach keeps Argentina among the favourites to win.

He also noted that being placed in a relatively manageable group could further smooth their path, particularly in the early stages of the tournament.

“Yes, of course, Argentina and Lionel Scaloni’s main ambition is to defend their World Cup crown,” Adrian said during a Tribunnews podcast on Sunday (1 June 2026) evening.

“From what I know, Scaloni is the most successful coach in Argentina’s football history,” he added. “He’s won two Copa America titles and one World Cup, so in terms of trophies, he has practically completed football at the international level.”

“As for their chances in 2026, they’re quite strong. Argentina is grouped with Austria, Jordan, and Algeria, which is a favourable draw on paper,” Adrian continued. “Looking at the squad, there’s a good mix of experienced players—Messi, Martinez, Paredes, Fernandez—and younger talents. The balance is excellent.”

“Overall, this is one of Argentina’s best squads. Most of the players are getting good playing time at their clubs and have already built solid chemistry at the national level,” he concluded.

However, Adrian was quick to issue a reminder that defending champions often struggle in subsequent tournaments—something Argentina must guard against at the 2026 World Cup.

He cited the failures of France, Italy, and Germany to back up their previous successes as cautionary examples.

“But again, it’s the World Cup—anything can happen,” Adrian said. “In previous editions, Germany crashed out in 2018, Italy failed in 2010—so what looks good on paper can quickly change.”

(Tribunnews.com/Dwi Setiawan)