Argentina’s Lionel Messi dribbles during a friendly soccer match against Zambia in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello, File)
Lionel Messi and Argentina hope to become the first repeat World Cup champion in six decades.
Their opponents in Group J have plans of their own. Algeria and Austria are back after long absences and Jordan is making its World Cup debut at the expanded 48-nation tournament.
A second World Cup title might elevate Messi in debates of whether he, Pelé or Diego Maradona is the greatest player in soccer history. As of mid-April, Messi had not made a final commitment to playing.
La Albiceleste won the 2022 final on penalty kicks over France. No men’s team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 led by Pelé and in 1962, when Pelé missed most of the tournament because of an injury.
Three-time champion Argentina, ranked No. 3 in the world, opens against No. 28 Algeria on June 16, then plays Austria and Jordan in a group that likely should provide an easy glide to the knockout stages.
La Albiceleste clinched its World Cup berth 15 months ahead of the tournament with a victory over Brazil as Messi missed the match because of an adductor injury.
Nine of the starters were the same as in the World Cup final, with midfielders Thiago Almada and Leandro Paredes in place of Messi and Ángel Di María, who retired from the national team in 2024 after helping with its second straight Copa America.
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