🇦🇷 Haaland or an easy route: the groups Argentina could face today | OneFootball

The Argentine team, the reigning champion, is preparing for the 2026 World Cup draw with the awareness that its immediate future could be a triumphant journey or a real maze.

As the top seed of CONMEBOL, the Albiceleste will not face its South American neighbors, but it will face European powers lurking in the lower pots. The fate of the champion is in the hands of luck.

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One of the most feared scenarios for Lionel Scaloni's team could pair Argentina with the 2018 runner-up, Croatia (Pot 2), the dangerous Norway with Erling Haaland (Pot 3), and the physical Ghana (Pot 4). 

Equally feared could be the combination that would include Morocco (Pot 2), Uzbekistan (Pot 3), and the European team coming from playoff A (Pot 4). A playoff that could bring Italy as a rival.

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In contrast, one of the ideal scenarios for the Albiceleste would be a group that includes the accessible Australia (Pot 2), the modest Panama (Pot 3), and the theoretical Cinderella of the tournament, New Zealand (Pot 4).

Similarly, an 'accessible' draw for Argentina could bring rivals like South Korea (Pot 2), South Africa (Group 3), or a CONCACAF team like Curaçao or Haiti (Pot 4) 

A draw of this nature would allow the Albiceleste to secure the top spot comfortably and manage the effort of its main figures from the start. The difference lies in avoiding teams with a recent World Cup history. 

The concern is palpable: although Argentina's quality allows it to be a favorite in any group, starting the tournament with a combination of the former could deplete the team's energy for the knockout stages. The coaching staff's eyes will be fixed on Pot 2, hoping for the draw of Austria or Australia over the feared Croatia.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors