Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said there are “no easy opponents” in international football and stressed he is “not taking anything for granted” after last Friday’s World Cup 2026 draw in Washington DC.
The reigning champions were placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan for next year's tournament and will begin their title defence in the United States.
Argentina open their campaign on June 16 against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City – a 73,000-seat venue without a retractable roof, where kick-off is set for 3pm local time in what is expected to be intense summer heat. The Albiceleste then move to Dallas to face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, both at the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, whose closed roof will offer respite from the Texan temperatures.
Speaking to Telefe after the draw, Scaloni described Algeria as “a good team with great players” and noted that he knows their coach, Vladimir Petković, from their time together at Lazio.
Austria, he said, “had a great qualifying campaign and are also difficult rivals,” while Jordan, the group's lowest-ranked side, “are here on merit – we take nothing for granted."
If Argentina progress, they will meet the runners-up of Group H, which includes Spain and Uruguay. “It’s a tough group and a tough route if that happens,” Scaloni said. “But first we have to qualify. Then we’ll see.”
As the coach of the current champions, Scaloni opened the draw ceremony on stage holding the World Cup trophy. He briefly revisited the dramatic 2022 Lusail final against France, decided on penalties, saying the team “kept believing despite the difficulties.”
The aim for 2026, he added, is to “keep competing and avoid defeatism.”
Scaloni also addressed skipper Lionel Messi’s potential presence at the tournament. “It’s his decision and we’ll support him,” he said, noting that the 38-year-old “has earned the right to choose."
In the run-up to the draw, Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio 'Claudio' Tapia confirmed negotiations to extend Scaloni’s contract through to 2030. “There will surely be a renewal,” he told Telefe.
– TIMES/AFP
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