Can Argentina defend the World Cup?

Argentina heads into the World Cup as the defending champions, hoping to lift the trophy once again. After ending their 36-year wait, they lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022 and are now facing the greatest challenge to defend the cup. 

No team has been able to defend the trophy back-to-back since 1962, when Brazil successfully defended their World Cup crown. Argentina is looking to achieve that feat. Now, the big question remains, can Argentina defend the World Cup?   

Read all about it and take your bet on the World Cup with Bet.co.za.  

Argentina’s winning experience 

Argentina have been the strongest team in international football for decades. Starting from when they first won the World Cup in 1978, after defeating Netherlands on home soil. In 1986, Diego Maradona led the team to their second victory and won the trophy in Mexico.  

The team then continued to be strong contenders and got their 36-year break in Qatar 2022 where Lionel Messi led the team to a historic victory over France. They have continued to impress by winning the 2024 Copa América and maintaining their status as one of the strongest teams in international football. 

Meet the Squad 

One of Argentina’s biggest advantages is that they know what it takes to win football’s biggest prize. The coach has retained some of the 2022 squad and featured a strong mix of proven winners and established stars.   

Among those returning are Julián Álvarez, who played a key role during Argentina’s title-winning run. Midfield standouts Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul are also in the squad.   

Although Lionel Messi will be 39 years old during the tournament, he is still the key player to look out for. While he may not be able to dominate matches physically as he once did, his vision, leadership, and ability to produce moments of magic make him one of the most important figures in the squad. 

The squad consist of:  

• Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso 

• Defenders: Facundo Medina, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Otamendi. 

• Midfielders: Giovani Lo Celso, Enzo Fernández, Valentín Barco, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul. 

• Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás Paz 

🚨 OFFICIAL: Argentina World Cup squad! 🌎🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/odOIklQ5gw

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 28, 2026

Why defending the World Cup is so difficult 

Winning the World Cup back-to-back has always been difficult. The only countries who were able to do that is Italy and Brazil, and this just shows how difficult the challenge is. 

Every defending champion becomes the team everyone wants to beat. Opponents study their tactics, analyse their strengths, and raise their level whenever they face them. 

This year, the team format has changed to 48 countries. That alone introduces new challenges. This means more matches and great competition throughout the tournament. History shows that even great teams often struggle to repeat their success on the world’s biggest stage. 

Spain, France, Brazil, and England are serious contenders to Argentina, with their personal reasons to settle the score.

All these teams will up their game and are all eager to reclaim the trophy after years of disappointment. With so many strong teams competing, Argentina will need to perform at their best from start to finish.  

Can Argentina win the World Cup again? 

Judging from what we have mentioned previously, it is very possible that Argentina could win again. They have the experience and mentality that is needed to protect the title. They are likely to be among the teams expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament and should be considered genuine contenders. 

Football history, however, shows that defending the cup is incredibly difficult. It has been 64 years since Brazil (1962) successfully defended its World Cup title. After that, we went to new countries each time.  

With the strong competition that Argentina will face, it will not be a smooth sailing ride to retain their crown. If Messi and the rest of the squad can maintain their form and fitness, Argentina have every chance of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive FIFA World Cups. For now, they remain one of the teams to beat as the countdown continues. 

Bet on the FIFA World Cup 2026 

It remains to be seen if Argentina can become the first nation in over six decades to successfully defend a World Cup title. One thing we all know is that they will be a team to watch and bring in a lot of competition. 

Think Argentina can go all the way again? Back your favourites and explore the latest FIFA World Cup betting markets on Bet.co.za. From outright winners to Golden Boot contenders and match-by-match betting, Bet.co.za has you covered throughout the tournament.