Messi at 38
No player in World Cup history has won back-to-back titles as captain. At 38, Messi is attempting what no one has done before. His fitness going into the tournament is reportedly excellent after a solid MLS season with Inter Miami.
The squad
Argentina's 2026 squad blends the 2022 champions with exciting youth. Julián Álvarez leads the attack alongside Lautaro Martínez. The midfield, anchored by Enzo Fernández, is one of the strongest in the tournament.
The group
Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan looks manageable on paper. But Argentina have a history of slow starts — remember Saudi Arabia in 2022. Follow Argentina's progress on the Group J table.
Our verdict
Argentina are the bookmakers' second favourite behind France. A Messi farewell with back-to-back World Cup victories would be the greatest story in football history. Catch every Argentina match on our schedule page.