Here is an actual fact: no team has ever one back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Argentina aims to be the first team in over 50 years to accomplish that feat, arriving in North America as the defending champions with most of the same squad that French fans cry in Qatar four years ago.
Lionel Messi enters what will likely be his last World Cup, with two games in Dallas during the Group Stage. All eyes will be on him and what he does in this tournament as Argentina strives to make history.
Starting this summer, Dallas Stadium becomes one of the most watched venues on Earth, hosting some of the biggest nations in world football. But who are these teams? What’s their story? And which ones are actually worth showing up for?
That’s what this series is for.
Big D Soccer is breaking down every national team coming to North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their history, their best players, and our honest take on how far they’ll go. Consider it your cheat sheet for sounding smart at the watch party.
Why you need to watch
For folks in Dallas, it is getting the chance to see the defending champions appear in the area not just once in the group stage, but twice. Also, having a guy like Lionel Messi, who is currently playing in MLS, make his sixth World Cup appearance, a record he will share with Cristiano Ronaldo, it is almost certainly his final World Cup.
How they got here
In past World Cups, the defending champions didn’t have to run through qualifying. This time around, Argentina had to go through the usual gauntlet that is CONMEBOL qualifying. It didn’t matter though, as Argentina didn’t just qualify, they owned their region from start to finish. Messi finished as the top goal scorer with eight goals in 12 of their 18 matches.
If anything, the team is deeper than the squad was in 2022. The big question may end up being more about falling into the trap of complacency that has swallowed every defending champion for the last six decades.
World Cup History
Three titles. Six finals. Their history in this tournament is rich, to say the least.
Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup in 1978, 1986, and most recently, 2022. Only Brazil, Germany and Italy have more titles than they do at this point.
Each title has also arrived at different eras for the country. In 1978, it came as hosts of the tournament with attacking flair. In 1986, through the individual genius of Diego Maradona. And then in 2022, via a collective resilience built around Messi.
Players to Watch
🩵🤍 Lionel Messi — Forward, Inter Miami - Is there really anything left to write about Messi that isn’t already out there? His 13 World Cup goals across five tournaments makes him Argentina’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament. He has won the Golden Ball twice (2014 and 2022). The story really may be to watch him in this tournament because it will likely be the last time you can at this stage.
🩵🤍 Julián Álvarez — Forward, Atlético Madrid - Now for the guy that does the dirty work that makes Messi’s magic possible for Argentina. Alvarez played a key role in their 2022 run. He’s only 25, and is certainly the future for this team. The big question will be will he step up and take the mantel from Messi in this tournament or continue to play in his shadow?
🩵🤍 Emiliano Martínez — GK, Aston Villa - If there was every a time to highlight a goalkeeper, it would be for this one. Martinez won the Golden Glove at the 2022 World Cup and has really only gotten better since then. He’s elite at penalty kick shootouts and has an amazing ability to stop about any shot that comes his way.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 | 🇩🇿 vs. Algeria | Kansas City Stadium — Kansas City, MO | 8:00 PM |
| ⭐ June 22 | 🇦🇹 vs. Austria | Dallas Stadium — Arlington, TX | 12:00 PM |
| ⭐ June 26 | 🇯🇴 vs. Jordan | Dallas Stadium - Arlington, TX | 9:00 PM |
Projected finish
Look, can Argentina get back to the final and win it all again? Absolutely. But I lean on how more recent history tells us what a defending champion will do in this tournament. They’ll go far. They’ll get close. But somewhere along the way, the magic runs out.
BDS Projected Finish: Semifinals
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