General FIFA World Cup 2026 Discussion

As you said yourself , most important thing is not how you begin the tournament, but its how you finish it. I never feel comfortable entering a tournament carrying a certain weight like a long unbeaten run , unbeaten in qualifier, Messi winning Ballon multiple times etc. Germany and Spain having strong qualifier in last few WC didnt do them a favor, neither did Colombia unbeaten run heading into CA 24 final.

We started CA 21 & WC 22 with lackluster draw and a lost. Yet it ended up forcing Scaloni to made changes to eventually led us into victory.

I dont underestimate our rivals but sometimes you cant help but laugh at those who always consider England, Spain, Portugal as top favs ahead of Argentina in every WC.

Other than Spain in 2010, winning Euro has never translate into WC victory. If anything , Euro winners always falters (Netherlands 90, Germany 98, France 2002, Greece 2006 , Portugal 2018, Italy 2022)

 

Lot of salt in the replies lol.. not that I'm taking this ranking seriously

We just launched PELE, our new soccer model! It is kind of insanely detailed. But we think you'll really like it and hope you'll check it out. Argentina *just* edges out Spain in the initial rankings. The US is ... much further down the list. pic.twitter.com/SGQ8cUKprV

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) May 8, 2026

 

England

 

I'm happier not being ranked #1. When was the last time a #1 ranked team won? Was it Brazil in 94? I'd really love to know.

It's a shame the finalissima was cancelled. I don't buy the reason. I'm sure there would be a number of venues that would have been willing to host. We could have measured up against a team that many consider favorite.

 

My take on the upcoming world cup, I'd have France as favourites, insane levels of talent, Doue, Dembele, Mbappe, Cherki, Olise, Barcola etc, etc, I think they have a stronger squad this time than they did in 2028 and 20222. After them I'd go for Spain, againt crazy talent, maybe lacking a outstanding striker but they showed at the euros they don't necessarily need one.

I'd put Argentina in a pack alongside Brazil, Portugal, England who could go a long way, what worries me about our squad is the age of the players, in that heat they could get exposed. Dissapointing that there have been no break out young players since the last world cup, other than Paz. The kid who went to Real Madrid has had a wasted season.

 

The 55 Preliminary WC Squad

- No Valentin Gomez and no Dybala

 

Like Aimar back then, Dybala sadly becoming more & more injury prone. But he lifted the WC & Finalissma and won countless titles with Juve. His time in NT definetely has come to an end at this point. I believe his last game was at home where he scored .

 

Damn, no love for Troilo but Zaid Romero gets a shout…?

And why is Scaloni breaking balls when we all know exactly who is going to the tournament? This is all performative on Scaloni’s part.

 

Yeah, astonishing that Troilo isn't there. Same for Valentín Gómez, although to a lesser extent. Troilo was at least in a squad earlier. Martinez Quarta, Di Lollo... jfc

 

Didn’t clock them at first. You just have to laugh. Or cry.

 

there 100 players in the local league who perform better than them; some wierd ass list from scaloni

 

The seats are removed, the pitch is in, and Kansas City is a little over a month away from hosting their first World Cup game! pic.twitter.com/SFZOvgn8fp

— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) May 11, 2026

 

Scaloni is the ultimate troll.

Seriously, you're telling me there aren't any Argentinians better than these two dinosaur flops?

 

It was good. Giving out easy citizenship to snipe other countries talent is kind of cheap.

 

It could have been worst.... he could have called this guy...

 

From Gaston, the following 24 players will be going to the WC

GK: E. Martinez (33), Rulli (34), Musso (32)
RB: Molina (28), Montiel (29)
CB: Romero (28), L. Martinez (28), Otamendi (38), Balerdi (27)
LB: Tagliafico (33), Acuña (34)

RCM: De Paul (32), Palacios (27)
DM: Enzo (25), Paredes (32)
LCM: MacAllister (27), Paz (21)

RW: Messi (39), Giuliano (23)
FW: Alvarez (26), Martinez (28), José Manu López (25)
LW: Almada (25), Nico Gonzales (28)

The remaining 2 spots will be fought between these players (out of the 3 selected, 2 will be selected)
- Senesi (29) vs Medina (27) - Senesi has a higher chance to go than Medina
- Barco (21) vs Mastantuono (18) - Barco has a higher change to go than Mastantuono
- Lo Celso (30) vs Prestianni (20)

My guess is that Senesi and Lo Celso will be the ones going. If not, Lo Celso, then Barco

I don't get the fascination of bringing a 3rd striker to the squad (think the defense and/or midfield can use an extra spot), but I hope to be proven wrong.

 

Olise is French by birth... No one 'gave' him out French nationality, except by law.

 

Prestianni is suspended for the first 2 matches... No idea why he should be considered.

Lo Celso... on merit should not go. The guy is always hurt and I can't recall him playing all that well for Betis... But Scaloni being that sentimental clown that he is... will take him. We just have to hope that Nico Gonzalez does not get healthy in time.

Taking Acuña, De Paul, Nico Gonzalez, Balerdi, Lo Celso... and potentially leaving players like Perrone and Barco at home. My head hurts.

 

I personally would not bring Lopez and bring Barco

 

Other than Paz, the core of the team basically remained the same as in 2022. In 2022 we have Dybala helping us to the finish line in the final, this time we have Giu who's basically just an upgraded Nico G

Between Lopez, Mastantuono & Barco, I'd rather have Barco. Lopez has never play in Europe in his entire career. I'm afraid he'd ended up being Palacio 2.0 in this WC.

For most of the part, I think the main team still strong enough to compete but the subs particularly the defence is worrying. Also, all the previous tournaments which we won were 6-7 games , this WC would be 8 games tournament! The subs quality will matters alot.

 

Yeah, I know that much. I know what you would do or what I would do but that does not matter. Many of us have common sense. Sometimes you wonder if Scaloni lacks this trait.

 

Oh yeah, for sure.

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