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Messi warns of stronger rivals ahead of World Cup
9 May
Summary
- Messi acknowledges Argentina faces tough World Cup competition.
- He identifies France, Brazil, Germany, England, and Portugal as threats.
- Argentina's first World Cup match is June 16 against Algeria.

Lionel Messi anticipates a challenging 2026 World Cup for Argentina, despite the team being considered favorites. He stated that while the squad is competitive, some players are dealing with injuries or a lack of form.
Messi identified several strong contenders for the title, including France, Brazil, Germany, England, and Portugal. He noted that these teams possess top-level players and can compete effectively in major tournaments.
The Argentine captain acknowledged that unexpected outcomes are a hallmark of the World Cup. Argentina's campaign kicks off on June 16 against Algeria, following warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland in early June.