Which team is most eager to win the 2026 World Cup? The answer is probably Argentina.
That is not only shown through victories, but also clearly in the emotions of the members of this team. After the comeback against Egypt in the round of 16, Lionel Messi burst into tears right on the field, and coach Lionel Scaloni choked up in the post-match interview when admitting that he did not dare to look at the players or fans because he was too emotional. A victory in the knockout round was celebrated as if Argentina had just won the championship.
Few teams bring to the World Cup an emotional atmosphere like Argentina. In this South American country, football is not only the king sport, but also a part of the national identity.
The careers of Diego Maradona and Messi have gone far beyond the framework of football to become an icon. They both grew up from difficult circumstances, rising to become legends, contributing to bringing home World Cup championships for Argentina. For the people here, those achievements are not simply sports success, but also national pride.
At each World Cup, Argentine fans compose a song accompanying the team. This year, the song The Fourth Star is played throughout the stands, with a line mentioning Maradona and "Messi's last World Cup".
This clearly reflects the way Argentinians perceive the tournament. In the context that the country still faces many economic difficulties and political divisions, football has become a rare spiritual support. Messi is not only a football superstar but also a symbol of hope, a successor to the legacy left by Maradona.
Therefore, this World Cup is of special significance. Fans understand that this will almost certainly be Messi's last World Cup. When he closes his international career, Argentina will have to enter a completely new phase that currently still does not have a person strong enough to replace him.
The possibility of finding another player with the stature of Maradona or Messi is extremely fragile. It becomes even more difficult when Argentine football has been affected by many years of poor management, causing youth training and infrastructure development not to meet expectations.
Therefore, the 2026 World Cup has the appearance of a "last chance" for the current generation. This is an opportunity for Messi to close his legendary journey with his second gold cup in his career and also for Argentina to extend the era of success.
However, Scaloni's team still reveals many problems. They possess many quality players but sometimes still depend too much on Messi. It feels that every time Argentina is in a deadlock, all hopes are placed on the feet of number 10.
However, difficult times help Argentina become more fearsome. Two breathtaking victories against Cabo Verde and Egypt have added confidence that they can always overcome adversity.
Argentina is not simply a team rich in bravery. They are playing with emotions, belief and aspirations of a nation. And that may be Albiceleste's most fearsome weapon on the journey to conquer the 2026 World Cup.
