Can Argentina Defy the World Cup Champion’s Curse Again?

Argentina enters the 2026 World Cup trying to do something no team has done since Brazil in 1962, win the tournament in consecutive editions. Since 1986, 10 reigning champions have tried to defend the title, and four of them were eliminated in the group stage of the next World Cup, including Germany, Spain, Italy and France. FIFA ranks Argentina first in the world, and the team also arrives as Copa America champion and as the first South American side to qualify for the tournament.

The article argues that Argentina’s challenge is not only history, but also the makeup of its squad. Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the group stage, can still become the World Cup’s all-time top scorer, but he is no longer expected to be the best player in the field. Julian Alvarez has had a strong year, Lautaro Martinez led Inter to the Serie A title, and neither is viewed as the world’s best. At the same time, several regulars are no longer playing at the highest European level, including Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico and Gonzalo Montiel.

Still, Argentina’s path looks manageable on paper. A likely route would be Uruguay in the round of 32, Turkey or the United States in the round of 16, and Portugal in the quarterfinals. That would even set up a potential Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo knockout match in the last eight, if both teams advance. Argentina’s 38-point qualifying campaign and its 4-1 win over Brazil underline its strength, but the piece says that form and favorable draw alone may not be enough.

Coach Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2022 title, may be able to counter the usual problems that hurt past champions, such as complacency, aging squads or overreliance on old formulas. The team is described as more unified and more adaptable in-game, with Messi and Alvarez still central. The article concludes that winning back-to-back World Cups is extremely difficult, but Argentina cannot be ruled out as long as both remain on the pitch.