Lionel Messi will as soon as once more lead Argentina into what’s anticipated to be his remaining World Cup in 2026, this time as defending champions. With their ticket to the event in america, Canada, and Mexico already secured, one in all Messi’s teammates has made a daring prediction about who will carry the trophy: “Spain, France, and Argentina are candidates.”
Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar was fueled by a mixture of veteran management and younger breakout stars, amongst them Alexis Mac Allister. Then taking part in for Brighton, the midfielder performed a pivotal function in Argentina’s title run. Now at Liverpool, he has established himself as some of the full midfielders in world soccer.
Talking with TyC Sports activities, Mac Allister was requested about Spain, Argentina’s anticipated opponent for the 2026 Finalissima, and he didn’t maintain again in his reward for La Roja: “Once I watch Spain, I see top-of-the-line nationwide groups on the planet. In case you have a look at worldwide soccer right this moment, Spain and France are proper up there — I feel they’re among the many finest together with us, and possibly one or two others might be part of that group.”
Whereas the Finalissima has but to be formally confirmed, it’s anticipated to happen in the course of the March 2026 worldwide window. The Liverpool midfielder went on to focus on Spain’s strengths underneath coach Luis de la Fuente. “Spain has unimaginable high quality, a transparent taking part in type, and a coach who’s labored with them because the youth ranks and is aware of them effectively. They’re at a really excessive stage,” he said.
Lionel Messi of Argentina talks to teammate Alexis Mac Allister.
When requested about the primary contenders for the 2026 World Cup, Mac Allister added one other powerhouse to his checklist: “Argentina, France, and Spain — though Brazil may also be added, as a result of they’re bouncing again. Even when they’re not at their finest proper now, they’re a workforce stuffed with nice gamers, and now they’ve an amazing coach. It’s Brazil — they’ve historical past and weight, so I feel the winner will come from these 4.”
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With Carlo Ancelotti now in command of Brazil, the five-time champions have as soon as once more entered the dialog amongst favorites. In the meantime, each Spain and France are near securing qualification and stay extremely regarded contenders for the expanded 48-team event.
Argentina’s rising confidence forward of the World Cup
In the course of the September worldwide break, Argentina wrapped up the CONMEBOL qualifiers on the prime of the standings with 38 factors in 18 video games, and Lionel Messi completed because the area’s prime scorer for the primary time in his profession. Following their 2024 Copa América triumph, La Albiceleste present no indicators of slowing down.
Mac Allister mirrored on the workforce’s mindset as they put together for the World Cup: “We all the time consider in ourselves. All of the nationwide groups are superb, and we respect them so much, however we now have nice confidence in our group. We attempt to strategy each recreation the identical approach — to exit and win. What’s forward goes to be thrilling, and hopefully the World Cup goes in addition to attainable.”
