The soccer team of Argentina is basically a religion wrapped in a blue-and-white striped jersey. You've seen the clips from Buenos Aires after the 2022 World Cup—millions of people flooding the streets, hanging off stoplights, and literally jumping onto the team bus from highway overpasses. It was chaos. Beautiful, terrifying chaos.
Most people think Argentina is just "Messi and ten other guys." That’s the first thing they get wrong.
Honestly, the current version of the soccer team of Argentina is a terrifyingly efficient machine that has learned to live with their king while preparing for a world without him. They aren't just a one-man show anymore. They are a collective of "street-smart" ballplayers who would walk through fire if Lionel Scaloni asked them to.
The Scaloni Paradox: From "Interim" to Icon
When Lionel Scaloni took over in 2018, the reaction in Argentina was basically a collective "Who?" Diego Maradona—bless his soul—even famously said Scaloni couldn't even direct traffic, let alone the national team.
He didn't have a flashy resume. He wasn't Pep Guardiola or Cholo Simeone. But he did something those tactical geniuses often fail at: he created a family.
Scaloni’s stats are actually insane. As of early 2026, his record stands at roughly 63 wins, 13 draws, and only 8 losses across more than 80 matches. That is a 75% win rate. You don't get those numbers by accident. He stopped trying to force the team to play like Barcelona and started making them play like... well, Argentina. Gritty. Technical. A little bit mean when they need to be.
The Midfield That Changed Everything
For years, the soccer team of Argentina struggled because the midfield couldn't keep the ball. They would just hoof it to Messi and hope for a miracle.
🔗 Read more: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Then came the "Golden Trio":
- Rodrigo De Paul: The "bodyguard." He runs until his lungs give out.
- Alexis Mac Allister: The brain. He finds spaces that don't exist.
- Enzo Fernández: The engine. A guy who went from a bench player to the World Cup's Best Young Player in about three weeks.
This group changed the geometry of the pitch. They don't just pass to Messi; they use Messi as a decoy to destroy teams through the middle.
Why Argentina Still Matters in 2026
We are currently in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup, and the soccer team of Argentina is in a strange, lofty position. They are the reigning World Cup champions (2022) and back-to-back Copa América winners (2021, 2024).
Winning is habit-forming.
But there’s a dark cloud over the AFA (Argentine Football Association) right now. While the players are winning on the pitch, the suits are in trouble. In late 2025, federal inquiries were launched into the AFA’s finances. We're talking about seized Ferraris and luxury compounds. It’s the classic Argentine drama: world-class talent on the grass, soap-opera politics in the boardroom.
The "Next" Generation is Already Here
If you think the team dies when Messi finally hangs up the boots, you haven't been watching. Have you seen Alejandro Garnacho? Or Franco Mastantuono?
💡 You might also like: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Mastantuono is 18 and already being valued at €50 million. He’s a right-winger for Real Madrid (as of recent moves) who plays with the arrogance of a veteran. Then there’s Julián Álvarez at Atlético Madrid. He’s 26 now and has basically won every trophy available in human history.
The squad is younger than you think.
- Lautaro Martínez: 28 years old, absolute killer in the box.
- Cristian Romero: 27 years old, arguably the most aggressive center-back in the world.
- Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez: The goalkeeper who lives in every striker's nightmares. He’s 33, which for a keeper is basically his prime.
What Really Happened with the FIFA Rankings?
There was a lot of noise recently about Spain jumping over Argentina in the FIFA World Rankings. As of late 2025/early 2026, Argentina has been hovering at the #2 spot.
Does it matter? Ask any Argentine fan. They’ll tell you the rankings are "puro humo"—pure smoke.
The team finished at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table for 2026, cruising past Brazil home and away. They didn't just qualify; they dominated. When you finish nine points ahead of the second-place team in South American qualifying, a FIFA ranking number doesn't really keep you up at night.
The Messi Question: One Last Dance?
Let’s be real. This is what everyone wants to know. Will he play in the 2026 World Cup?
📖 Related: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
At 38, Messi is still the captain of the soccer team of Argentina. He’s playing in the MLS for Inter Miami, which is a lower intensity, sure, but his vision hasn't aged. Scaloni has been very clear: as long as Messi wants to put on the shirt, the #10 is his.
But the team has learned to win without him. In several qualifying matches where Messi was rested or injured, guys like Nico González and Alexis Mac Allister stepped up. They don't look panicked anymore. That’s the biggest shift in the last decade.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the soccer team of Argentina as they head into the 2026 trophy defense, keep your eye on these three specific things:
- The High Press: Scaloni has moved away from the deep-sitting counter-attack. They now squeeze teams high up the pitch. If the opponent's center-backs aren't great on the ball, Argentina will eat them alive.
- The Fullback Rotation: Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico are the staples, but look for the younger wings to start taking those spots. The overlapping runs are key to how they create space for the "false nine" system.
- Dibu’s Mind Games: It’s not just about saves. Watch how Emiliano Martínez manages the clock and the referee. He is the emotional heartbeat of the defense.
To really understand this team, stop looking for the "New Messi." He doesn't exist. Instead, watch the way the midfield three rotate. That's where the games are actually won. You can track their upcoming friendlies and the final March international window to see if Scaloni sticks with his trusted 4-4-2 or experiments with a more aggressive 4-3-3 as the World Cup draws closer.
Watch the games. Wear the jersey. Just don't expect it to be boring.