The 2026 FIFA World Cup is getting closer and closer, which means that another qualifying team will be in the spotlight. The team being looked at this week is Argentina, the reigning champions of the tournament.
The history of Argentina and the FIFA World Cup is one that can be dated all the way back to 1930, when the first-ever tournament was held. Argentina made it all the way to the finals, where they ultimately fell to Uruguay. Fast forward nearly a decade later and Argentina are continuing to dominate the sport, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Their last victory marks the team’s third time winning the tournament, continuing to emphasize their dominance in the sport. They are currently ranked as the third best nation by FIFA, only behind Spain and France. The team’s successes have come outside of the tournament, as well, as they won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, in back-to-back appearances. The latter tournament was held in the United States, which will serve as a co-host for next year’s World Cup. When Argentina won the Copa América, they did so at MetLife Stadium and will hope to replicate that moment again, repeating as World Cup champions.
Argentina’s team wouldn’t be complete if it was without Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever come out of the country and in the game of soccer, as a whole. However, his participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup is still up in the air, as he has not yet made a conclusive decision. His physical strength during next summer will play a large factor in if he makes the decision to return, but it is almost certain that if he does, it will be his last time ever participating in the tournament.
As the captain of Argentina’s team, Messi is the heart and soul of the sport in the country and was vital in their 2022 FIFA World Cup victory. He is also their all-time leading goalscorer in the tournament and can make an impact in the tournament despite his age.
Messi won the Copa América just a year ago at MetLife Stadium and, if he returns, will hope to hoist one more FIFA World Cup trophy before his career comes to an end. As one of the most dominant teams in the playing field for the tournament, they seem poised to make a run.