Preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, United States, and Mexico, are entering a crucial stage as the tournament draws closer.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has shared his thoughts on the strongest national teams that could become major contenders in the competition.
Four Nations on Messi’s Radar
Despite Argentina being the defending champions and remaining at the top of the FIFA rankings for more than two and a half years, Messi is not underestimating the challenges awaiting his team in North America.
The 38-year-old superstar believes several nations possess the quality needed to threaten Argentina’s dominance under head coach Lionel Scaloni.
In his analysis, Messi identified four countries that he believes are currently in excellent form and equipped with world-class players.
Those nations are France, Spain, Brazil, and Portugal.
Assessing the Strength of Each Squad
Messi has his own reasons for considering those four nations as serious obstacles in Argentina’s attempt to defend the World Cup title.
In his view, France possesses extraordinary squad depth filled with elite talents competing at the highest level of football.
Meanwhile, Spain and Brazil are always regarded as strong title contenders, even though both teams have experienced inconsistent performances and internal issues within their squads.
As for Portugal, Messi considers Cristiano Ronaldo’s side one of the most competitive teams in international football, especially after their impressive achievements throughout 2025.
Uncertainty Surrounding Messi’s Participation
Despite discussing the tournament favorites, Messi still has not confirmed whether he will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
The former FC Barcelona superstar stated that he wants to evaluate his physical condition before deciding whether to join Argentina for the tournament.
This statement was also supported by Lionel Scaloni, who admitted there is still no guarantee that Messi will appear in football’s biggest competition once again.
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