Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (C) raises a replica of the World Cup trophy next to his teammates during a recognition ceremony for the World Cup-winning players, following the friendly football match between Argentina and Curacao at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, in northern Argentina, on March 28, 2023. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Agency – World Cup winners Argentina will start their World Cup title defense campaign this week. As the first step in defending the title, Argentina is going to play the World Cup qualifiers from Friday.
Argentina will face Ecuador in the first match of the South American World Cup qualifiers. The game will be played Friday at Monumental De Nunez Stadium. Argentina will be looking to get off to a good start by defeating Ecuador at home.
48 nations are participating in the 2026 World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada. 6 nations will qualify for the World Cup from South America. The seventh-placed nation will have the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup through playoffs.
Argentina qualified for the last World Cup by finishing second in the World Cup selection competition between 10 South American nations. In the World Cup held in Qatar, Argentina was defeated in the first match, but won all the subsequent matches and reached the final. In the final, Argentina won the World Cup title by defeating France in a penalty shootout.
Lionel Messi, who played a key role in making Argentina the World Cup winner, is planning to continue his title defense campaign. Some time back, Messi said that he is in the mood to enjoy the World Cup title defense.
