Argentina, the current world champion and two-time American champion, will begin its next World Cup campaign against Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Although the group drawn on Friday promises to be within reach for the team led by Lionel Messi, as for the majority of the group leaders, the round of 32 encounter expects greater tension: it could be with Spain or Uruguay.
After winning the World Cup in Qatar 2022, Argentina will participate for the first time in the next World Cup against Algeria. Then they will face Austria and finally Jordan. The four selected will form Group J of the tournament, which will be held in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The team that finished first in Group J will next compete with the team that finished second in Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde meet there. In turn, the second in Group J will face the first in Group H.
Due to a new clause by FIFA, Argentina and Spain will not face each other in a World Cup semi-final event. But this rule will only apply if both teams qualify for first place in their groups. If one of them comes in second place, the crossing can be completed. They will repeat the match they will play next March, when they compete in the tournament FinalissimaThe final match between the current American and European champions.
If one of the eight best third teams in the competition is eliminated from Group J, that team will compete in the round of 32 with the top team from Group K, which will bring together Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan with the team that beats the group of New Caledonia, Jamaica and Congo.
Argentina remained at a high level after the success it achieved in Qatar. He finished the World Cup qualifiers in excellent condition: he comfortably topped the South American classification. In 2024, he lifted the Copa America, which he had already won three years earlier. From April 2023 until last September he led classification FIFA now ranks second behind Spain.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni participated in the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington and presented the trophy that his team won in Qatar 2022. “I remember it as an unforgettable final,” recalling the match with France in which they tied with three goals and was decided on penalties in favor of the Albiceleste team. “A lot of things happened, our team kept believing and at no point did we think it might end badly,” Scaloni said. “This is what we will try in the new World Cup: to continue competing and not give anything away for losing. This is what our people expect and what we will try again.”