2026 World Cup: Argentina's gift group | OneFootball

2026 World Cup: Argentina's easy group

2026 World Cup: Argentina's gift group

Placed in Pot 1, Argentina approaches the December 5 draw in Washington with a blend of calm confidence and cautious vigilance. The World Cup's expansion to 48 teams opens the door to unprecedented combinations—some favorable, others far more treacherous—despite their status as a seeded nation.

For Lionel Messi and his teammates, the dream scenario looks almost like a gentle stroll. A group featuring Australia, always solid but rarely a threat to the tournament's heavyweights, Scotland, making progress but still far from Europe's elite standards, and Cape Verde, complete newcomers at this level, would be as close to a "gift" as it gets. It's a group well within the Albiceleste's reach, giving them the chance to kick off their campaign with confidence and without added pressure.

But beyond the simple matter of the draw, the real stakes lie elsewhere: this North American edition could be Messi's final appearance on the sport's grandest stage. It will set the course for a squad still reigning as world champions but searching for new inspiration, and could ultimately chart the last chapter of an era that has defined Argentine football history.