Much has been said about Argentina’s journey through the 2026 World Cup. After the 3-2 win in the Round of 16, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan accused Lionel Messi and Argentina of being favored. That narrative spread and has clearly been heard by the reigning World Cup champions. However, Scaloni put it all to rest.

“The conversation around us being favored will linger. With VAR it’s difficult to be helped, though. We know it’s not like that, we’re not being helped,” Scaloni said during his press conference before setting his sights on Spain.

Scaloni and Argentina shift focus to Spain

“Spain are a great team. They deserved to win against France in the semifinals. We had already analyzed them in March, they’ve changed a bit, but they are still a great team and everybody knows how they play. We’re ready,”Scaloni admitted. “It’s going to be a game for people to enjoy.”

Argentina and Spain were set to face in the Finalissima (CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions) prior to the 2026 World Cup. However, that game was postponed as the two soccer associations couldn’t agree on a venue and date.

One way or the other, however, the two sides will meet. And what better stage for them to settle the score than in the World Cup final. For the first time since 1966, Spain and Argentina will go head-to-head in soccer’s biggest tournament.

Storylines to watch in 2026 World Cup final

Refereeing accusations and nonsensical talk aside, the 2026 World Cup final will be one of the biggest games in tournament history. Although that’s saying a lot, it might still be an understatement. Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face off on a soccer pitch for the first time.

It will also be the first time the reigning European and South American champions meet in a World Cup final. The 2026 World Cup final will also be an all-Spanish-speaking affair—for the first time since 1930, when Uruguay and Argentina met at the inaugural World Cup final.

“I’m speechless. I’m so happy for this group and for our people; they never stop amazing me. It’s hard to put into words what these players continue to show. We are unique, truly. These people inspire us to keep winning,” the manager said after the match.

Now, Argentina will face Spain next Sunday to determine whether they can lift the World Cup trophy once again. Driven by their tradition, resilience, and heart, La Albiceleste are aiming to reach the summit of world soccer one more time.

Enzo opened the door

After Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, the match slowly began to tighten up. However, Argentina have an ace up their sleeve — the kind of player that few teams have in their squads and who can often make the difference.

Lionel Messi provided two assists, continuing to add to his legendary legacy in the sport. On the first one, Enzo Fernandez scored the equalizer with a powerful right-footed strike from outside the box. In the final moments of the match, after a cross from the No. 10, Lautaro Martinez headed home to seal the 2-1 victory.

England’s heartbreak

England were eliminated by Argentina after they appeared the match was slipping into the Europeans’ hands. The heartbreak was complete, and this team will have to wait a little longer to win the World Cup title once again.

1966 was the last and only time England lifted the World Cup trophy, and this time it will not be the occasion to celebrate another title. The consolation for Thomas Tuchel and his squad will be the chance to secure third place next Saturday.

What’s next for Argentina?

Spain and Argentina will go head-to-head on Sunday, to determine who will be crowned champion of the 2026 World Cup. La Roja advanced after eliminating France, while La Albiceleste reached the final by defeating England.

The match already has a confirmed venue and schedule: kickoff is set for 3 PM ET, with the iconic New York New Jersey Stadium serving as the host venue. The two teams competing for third place will play on Saturday at Miami Stadium.

As the final countdown gets underway, Scaloni admitted there could be some changes to the starting XI, which would be surprising considering Argentina have fielded a very similar lineup throughout the tournament. With reports suggesting Scaloni is planning a change that puts Rodrigo De Paul’s spot in jeopardy, the World Cup-winning manager didn’t exactly clear the air.

“There could be a change with the idea of hurting the opponent. You’ll find out tomorrow,” Scaloni said during his press conference on Tuesday. “I already have the starting lineup in my head. I just haven’t told the players yet. They always hear it first. We could make a change with the idea of hurting the opponent while also protecting ourselves from their strengths.”

High stakes for Argentina vs England

Argentina are set to face England at a World Cup for the first time since 2002. Lionel Messi was only 14 years old the last time Argentina and England met in soccer’s biggest tournament, and this will be his first matchup against the Three Lions. Needless to say, the hype is at an all-time high for both sides.

It’s no wonder the buzz around both teams’ lineups is so intense. While England have brushed off health concerns surrounding Declan Rice and Nico O’Reilly and seemingly been given the green light to field their best possible lineup, Argentina may not have the same luxury.

Reports around Argentina’s lineup

In need of answers, there is plenty of speculation about what Argentina’s lineup will look like to face England in Atlanta, Georgia. Perhaps De Paul will indeed be benched, and one of Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, or Exequiel Palacios will be handed the reins.

Alternative options include deploying a five-man back line in which Simeone and Gonzalez could start on the flanks, with Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Lisandro Martinez holding down the fort.

The possibilities are endless for Scaloni and his staff, which is both a blessing and a never-ending headache. With the fate of the national team on the line and a ticket to yet another World Cup final at stake, any misstep could sound the death knell for Argentina, so caution and extra caution are the name of the game.

While many are focused on external factors, such as the British media’s reaction to the referee assignment for Argentina vs. England, Scaloni is nose-deep in tactical analysis. According to Argentine reporter Diego Monroig of ESPN, Scaloni is holding a three-man competition for a spot in midfield. The contenders are De Paul, Giuliano Simeone, and Nicolas Gonzalez.

De Paul has been one of the most criticized players on the roster so far at the 2026 World Cup, as he’s looked a step off and hasn’t been the engine of the team as he usually is. Simeone has played just one game at the 2026 World Cup (against Jordan in the group stage). As for Gonzalez, he’s been the first substitute in virtually every game, but he has yet to make a start.

Whoever earns the position will likely play in midfield close to the touchline, with the task of covering the entire flank—an area where England can do a lot of damage from. If Gonzalez starts, he will likely do so on the left side of the field, while De Paul or Simeone would line up on the right.

If De Paul is benched, Argentina face three options

In the event that Scaloni does indeed take De Paul out of Argentina’s starting XI, there are three possible scenarios, according to ESPN’s Leo Paradizo. One alternative is to have Gonzalez enter the starting lineup in place of De Paul but on the left side, while Alexis Mac Allister shifts to the right. Argentina would line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernandez completing the midfield.

Another option is for Simeone to replace De Paul on the right side of midfield, while Mac Allister moves to the left. Argentina would keep its current tactical setup, which is a hybrid of a 4-4-2 and a 4-1-3-2 formation.

The third and final option, according to reports, is for Exequiel Palacios to earn the starting job, adding another possession-oriented midfielder to a crucial area of the pitch. Although Palacios appears to be a step behind Simeone and Gonzalez, he is a different type of player than the two wingers. If Scaloni wants to go with a different player profile to replace De Paul, Palacios is the leading option.

De Paul’s comments

Ahead of the long-awaited showdown against England, De Paul shared a candid statement about his emotions leading up to a game unlike any other the national team has played before. Just like Lionel Messi was 14 years old the last time Argentina and England met in a World Cup, De Paul was only 8 in 2002. Needless to say, this game has been a long time coming.

“Tomorrow’s game will be unique. I can’t wait to play. I love these kind of games, they motivate me, and bring out so many emotions in me,” De Paul admitted to reporters on Tuesday. “[England’s] a team I’ve never faced before. I’m experiencing this with a lot of joy and excitement. I can’t wait for tomorrow to arrive.”

Following the match, Scaloni was fully aware that Argentina must improve in a semifinal bracket that features the top four teams in the world, but he also praised England. “We have things to improve, but winning is always better. That being said, today was historic,” Scaloni said postgame.

“We are going to face a team that plays very well, that has a great coach,” he added. Scaloni already has his eyes on the decisive matchup that could place them in the final for the second consecutive time, all while Lionel Messi remains in the hunt for the Golden Boot.

Scaloni remains optimistic despite the opponent

With England already confirmed as the opponent, Scaloni assured that the adversary will not change the national team’s preparation and highlighted the high level of any team reaching this stage of the tournament.

“It did not matter if it was England or Norway; we are going to face a good team,” he stated. Finally, the head coach made it clear what the priority will be before Wednesday’s semifinal in Atlanta. “We are going to recover, which is the most important thing,” he concluded, referring to the physical toll left by another 120-minute match.

The qualification was settled in the second half of extra time thanks to a spectacular goal by Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute, which broke a highly balanced duel in Kansas City. With that goal, and the late addition from Lautaro Martinez, Argentina secured the final 3-1 scoreline and took another step in the defense of the title they won four years ago.

The matchup between Argentina and England is scheduled for July 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. It will be the final match of the semifinals, hosted at Atlanta Stadium in the United States. One day earlier, France and Spain will clash in Dallas for the first ticket to the final, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 3 PM (ET) in New York.

In his postgame press conference, Scaloni praised Cape Verde for giving their absolute best and complicating the encounter. “I don’t know if Cape Verde is a great national team, but they gave 200%, and that levels things a lot,” Scaloni said. “I hope people realize that they are not an easy opponent. Congratulations to Cape Verde; we knew they were going to be a tough, difficult opponent.”

“We suffered too much. We deserved to win, but that doesn’t change the fact that they made things difficult for us,” Scaloni added, shifting focus to how his squad handled the pressure.

“We take away the positives. We never lowered our arms, which is something to highlight because we took hits at specific moments that can shrink you. That is much more important than other things.” Scaloni also noted that they already have their minds set on their Round of 16 match against Egypt. “We will correct what we need to correct; there are things I already have in mind.”

Cape Verde’s heroic role against Argentina

An own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute saved Argentina, which have a difficult path to the finals, from one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, allowing them to narrowly overcome a heroic Cape Verde national team making their tournament debut.

The team, which occupies the 64th spot in the FIFA rankings, managed to equalize the score on two occasions against an opponent ranked second globally. After finishing the 90 minutes of regulation tied 1-1, Cape Verde forced their illustrious rival into extra time. Subsequently, Lisandro Martínez believed he had secured the victory for Argentina with a magnificent finish in the 92nd minute.

However, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored one of the great goals of the World Cup 11 minutes later, cutting inside from the left side of the box and unleashing a curling shot that beat goalkeeper Dibu Martínez into the top corner to make it 2-2. Ultimately, due to the own goal by Borges forced by Cuti Romero, Argentina walked away with the victory in a match where Lionel Scaloni’s squad suffered like it hadn’t in a very long time.

“It’s a difficult kickoff time to understand because it’s going to be very hot in Miami. But we can’t complain, because everyone is playing at similar times,” Scaloni said, via TNT Sports Argentina, about the upcoming fixture against Cape Verde.

Argentina’s game against Cape Verde is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, July 3. The game will be played at Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), which adds an exclamation mark to the unbearable hot and humidity in the 305. Miami’s venue isn’t enclosed, nor does it have a roof covering the pitch. Thus, Argentina and Cape Verde will be playing under the sun in the Sunshine State.

Scaloni’s statement isn’t so much an excuse as it is a message directed at FIFA and the organizers behind the 2026 World Cup, who may have made a poor decision by not scheduling the game for later in the evening.

Miami suits Argentina well

The vibrant city in South Florida is home to thousands of Argentinians—including the likes of Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul—and receives many more tourists every year. Moreover, La Albiceleste have played several times at Hard Rock Stadium and have had some pretty memorable nights at the venue in Miami Gardens.

Argentina hoisted their 16th Copa America title in Miami in 2024, defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from Lautaro Martinez in extra time. As closely linked as Miami is to Argentina, the national team had yet to play in the Magic City at the 2026 World Cup.

One and done

However, Argentina hope they never play in Miami again in this tournament. The reason why? Due to the locked 2026 World Cup bracket, Argentina—and every other team—already know where they’ll play next if they advance through each round. Argentina will not play in Miami again unless they lose in the semifinals and must return to South Florida for the third-place match.

Scaloni’s side came into the World Cup eyeing a back-to-back title, and settling for third place is not on its mind. As much as Argentinians love Miami, they are fine with not playing there again if that’s what it takes to win a fourth World Cup title. It’s a pretty fair sacrifice to make.

If anyone was expecting Scaloni to answer back with a bold statement against Ancelotti or Brazil, they must not have been around Argentina’s head coach before. In typical fashion, he de-escalated a potentially contentious situation with a cool, calm, and collected message.

“I understood what [Ancelotti] meant. He said it in a good way. He definitely didn’t say anything bad,” Scaloni had to say about Ancelotti’s comments during his press conference on Sunday. “The thing is, he speaks a mix of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. If he could speak in his native language, we probably would have understood him better. I understand it as a compliment rather than a criticism, and I’m absolutely sure of that.”

What did Ancelotti say?

Speaking about the 2026 World Cup and the current landscape, Ancelotti delivered a strong message about Argentina. Although it may have been blown out of proportion by Argentine media, Ancelotti did say that La Albiceleste’s playing style lacks intensity.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti rated Argentina as a contender to win the World Cup, though his comments did diminish the potential impact of Lionel Messi and other stars.

“I’ve seen teams that aren’t favorites, play great soccer. I believe this will be a World Cup of high intensity,” Ancelotti said in a mix of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese during a recent press conference. “Even though Argentina don’t play a high-intensity style, they manage themselves really well. I think the stars won’t determine this World Cup. That’s what I think.”

Argentina’s and Brazil’s road ahead

Gearing up for a decisive group-stage matchup against Austria, the other team with three points in Group J, Scaloni and Argentina had little time to lose worrying about Ancelotti and Brazil. They have enough on their plate, as a win over Austria could clinch first place in the group if Algeria defeat Jordan or the two latter tie.

As for Brazil, they have some breathing room thanks to their 3-0 triumph over Haiti and will complete their participation in Group C against Scotland on June 24, in a game where a draw is enough for Brazil to punch their ticket to the round of 32, though they might do so as group runners-up. To secure first place, Brazil must beat Scotland and hope Morocco don’t defeat Haiti and surpass the Verde-Amarela in goal differential in the process.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was left completely awestruck following his captain’s masterclass, praising his timeless brilliance: “Speechless. He has been doing this for 20 years; we have to enjoy him for what he transmits to the entire world, it’s incredible. We are going to fight match after match.”

Following this historic display, Lionel Messi has tied Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. With at least two group-stage matches remaining, he has a prime opportunity to surpass the German legend and become the solo all-time World Cup top scorer.

Rodrigo De Paul praises his captain

Rodrigo De Paul is not just Messi’s teammate; he is one of his biggest admirers. The dynamic midfielder spoke highly of the captain’s selflessness, emphasizing his focus on collective glory over individual accolades:

“He is an animal,” De Paul said after the Argentina‘s win about Messi. “What makes me happiest is that I feel he is truly enjoying it; he no longer feels that heavy burden he carried for so long. I think he’s enjoying it, and now he is completely focused on helping us.”

An undisputed World Cup legend

Not only has Lionel Messi already lifted the iconic World Cup trophy, but his tournament goals speak volumes. Netting 16 goals across six separate editions proves his uncanny ability to deliver on the biggest stages.

While this will highly likely be Messi’s final World Cup before future stars like Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland inevitably chase down his all-time World Cup scoring record, there is absolutely no doubt that the maestro has cemented his status as the greatest the sport has ever seen.

“The other day, I was asked by an Argentine outlet whether I speak with him, and I said that the decision regarding him is mine. The response was misinterpreted by a foreign media outlet and ended up being reported everywhere as if I consult him on things,” the manager clarified in his comments to the press.

The Argentine manager’s misinterpreted comments reached Martinez. “The Portugal coach was asked whether he handled things in the same way with Ronaldo. Not knowing the context of the question, he replied that they worked differently. In practice, he operates in a similar way, with Ronaldo, and then the team is ultimately assembled as expected,” Scaloni added.

Argentina‘s coach frustration was evident, and he urged the media to correct the misinterpretation of his comments. He also reiterated that he is solely responsible for the final decisions within the team, while maintaining regular contact with his players.

“In all the years I’ve been here, he (Messi) has never said a single word about the team. With him, whatever it is, always. I will repeat it and I will never get tired of repeating it: I will not do anything he does not want. From there, I decide how the team plays. It bothered me that the information was misrepresented.”

With Messi leading the way toward the World Cup

Expectations are soaring ahead of the upcoming international fixtures as Lionel Messi is projected to log crucial minutes in the friendly against Iceland to fine-tune his rhythm, ensuring he is in peak form to lead the squad for the highly anticipated debut against Algeria.

His presence remains the ultimate game-changer for the team, even though some might not count Argentina among the top title contenders this time around.

• vs Algeria, June 16th
• vs Austria, June 22nd
• vs Jordan, June 27th

Portugal aim to make a statement

Portugal kick off their highly anticipated campaign in Group K of the FIFA World Cup, where manager Roberto Martinez will look to guide his loaded squad deep into the tournament. Ready to lead the line on the grandest stage once again is Cristiano Ronaldo, whose iconic presence remains central to the team’s tactical plans.

Under Martinez’s fluid system, Portugal will face physical tests against DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Houston before traveling to Miami for a heavy-hitting group stage finale against Colombia.

Juan Musso, currently playing for Atletico Madrid, will take his place when the team steps onto the pitch. Geronimo Rulli, the squad’s third goalkeeper, is the one most likely to start against Iceland in the next match.

Although Dibu Martinez’s injury caused concern within the staff when the news first broke, everything suggests that his recovery is progressing well and he could be available for Argentina’s opening match against Algeria.

Argentina’s pre–World Cup friendlies

The Argentina national team is putting the final touches on its preparation for the 2026 World Cup with two upcoming friendly matches in the United States. First, the reigning world champions will face Honduras tonight, June 6, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Following that match, Lionel Scaloni’s squad will travel to Alabama to play against Iceland on Tuesday, June 9, at Jordan–Hare Stadium, marking its final warm-up test before making its tournament debut.

Injured players in Argentina

Argentina are currently navigating a wave of fitness concerns as they wrap up their final World Cup preparations. Manager Lionel Scaloni is keeping a close eye on several key figures—including Emiliano Martinez, Lionel Messi, and Julian Alvarez—who are all working through individual recovery programs, while fullbacks Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, along with youngster Nicolas Paz, continue to train on personalized schedules to overcome minor ailments.

However, the most critical blow came from the backline with Leonardo Balerdi out of the tournament completely. The Olympique de Marseille center-back suffered a severe right soleus muscle tear during training, forcing the coaching staff to scramble for a defensive replacement just days before their Group J debut.

Argentina’s World Cup fixtures under Scaloni

Lionel Scaloni and Argentina will begin their title defense in Group J of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing all three of their opening matches in the United States. The reigning world champions will debut against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Following their opener, La Albiceleste will travel to Texas to face Austria on June 22 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, before wrapping up the group stage at the very same Dallas venue against Jordan on June 27.