Argentina Will Struggle To Defend World Cup – Scaloni

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has admitted that retaining the FIFA World Cup title will not be an easy task as the reigning champions prepare to begin their 2026 campaign.

La Albiceleste, who lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022 after defeating France on penalties, are set to kick off their title defence against Algeria on June 17.

The South American giants are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

Since their triumph in Qatar, Argentina have maintained impressive form, suffering only a handful of defeats across friendly matches, the Copa America, and World Cup qualifying fixtures.

They have also built strong momentum heading into the tournament, winning their last five consecutive games, including a convincing 3-0 victory over Iceland.

Their recent performances have strengthened their position at the top of the FIFA world rankings, making them one of the favourites for the competition.

However, Scaloni has urged caution, stressing that success at the World Cup requires consistency, focus, and resilience. He acknowledged that defending the trophy is significantly harder than winning it the first time.

According to him, the team remains committed to giving everything on the pitch, regardless of expectations or pressure from fans and analysts.

Argentina have been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, with many expecting them to progress beyond the group stage, although Scaloni insists nothing will be taken for granted.