Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni shared his first comments on Friday after learning the national team’s opponents for the 2026 World Cup, where the Albiceleste will compete in Group J with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Scaloni began by referencing his personal connection with Algeria’s coach. “I know Algeria’s coach. He was my coach at Lazio,” he said. “It is a national team with important players and a development system that contributes to France and other national teams.”
He then offered an overview of the other two group rivals. “Austria had a strong qualifying campaign. It is also an opponent to prepare for. Jordan is the team we know the least, but if they reached this stage there is a reason,” Scaloni stated. “Matches have to be played. Nothing is decided in advance. It is a group in which we must give our maximum and try to advance.”
Looking beyond the group stage, Scaloni acknowledged the possibility of a Round of 32 matchup against Spain or Uruguay, who are part of Group H with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. “If we face the group of Spain and Uruguay, it will be a difficult matchup, but first we have to qualify,” he said.
Before the draw took place, Scaloni participated in the opening ceremony by bringing out the World Cup trophy, which Argentina won in 2022. “It was an emotional moment and also a moment of nerves because having the trophy again beside me was significant,” he explained. “I hope people enjoyed it. We come as the current champions. Being able to lift it again and confirm that it was the original trophy generated emotion. They did not allow me to touch it without gloves.”
Scaloni closed with a message directed at supporters. “Yesterday I was not nervous, but today I was, while waiting and paying attention,” he said. “As we said in 2022, there is no easy opponent. Matches have to be played, and we still do not know the possible knockout scenarios. Nothing is guaranteed.”
“We will give our maximum and try to do what we did in the last World Cup: give everything, not give up any ball, and continue with the same approach we have had until now.”
Come on boys, just bring it back again and make us happy! If you want to become champions, you need to beat the best teams in the world 🌎. Whether we face a top team in the Round of 16, the quarter-finals, or the semi-finals, it doesn’t matter.
Facing a big team at an early stage may create a bit of mental pressure, and players may feel fatigued due to the high intensity, especially knowing they still have 3 or 4 knockout matches ahead of them at the same level.
In my opinion, from the quarter-finals onward, every team is going to be tough. So let’s trust the system and take it step by step—first getting through the group stage, then the Round of 32/16, no matter who the opponent is…