Can Messi's Argentina Defy History and Retain the World Cup?

Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup chasing a feat no nation has achieved since Brazil in 1962: retaining the trophy on a different continent. Lionel Messi's squad looks to become the first back-to-back champions since the Seleção, but history is stacked against them. The group stage fixtures present early tests, and the knockout bracket will demand peak performances from stars like Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández. Can La Albiceleste overcome the curse of the defending champion?