FIFA World Cup 2026: "No team has maintained form" Argentina coach Scaloni reflects on unpredictable WC
Atlanta, July 7
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been a challenging tournament for all teams, with no side able to establish complete dominance, ahead of the defending champions' Round of 16 clash against Egypt, according to ESPN.
Speaking at a press conference, Scaloni highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, pointing out that even some of the strongest contenders have faced difficulties.
"I think this World Cup is proving to be difficult for everyone. There isn't one truly dominant team. France seemed strong, and they still are, but they struggled against Paraguay," Scaloni said ahead of Argentina's knockout fixture, as quoted by ESPN.
"Spain struggled until the very end. No team has maintained the form they showed before the World Cup. The opponents are playing well, and the conditions are different from what we've been seeing. The players, who have played many matches, are feeling it," he added.
Scaloni also provided an update on captain Lionel Messi's fitness, confirming that the Argentina legend is available for selection as he prepares to make his 30th FIFA World Cup appearance, further extending his record for most appearances in the competition.
"Leo is fine. He didn't report any issues, despite playing 120 minutes the other day at the age of 39," Scaloni said.
The Argentina manager said his side remains among the contenders due to its consistent performances over recent years, while acknowledging there are areas that need improvement.
"This team has been a candidate for years wherever it goes, and has always played well - even when things don't work out, or the opponent makes it difficult for you. Our level is acceptable. We won all four matches, and that's something to be satisfied with. As always, there are things to correct," he said.
Looking ahead to the knockout encounter, Scaloni warned his players against underestimating Egypt, praising their quality and experience.
"We are alert because Egypt is a good opponent. They are a very good team; they have players with experience and a coach who has been working with them for a long time," he added.
Egypt's Mohamed Salah will face Argentina for the first time in his career as he looks to extend his team's best-ever performance in a World Cup.
"Salah is a great player; it will be a pleasure to face him. This team has faced great players before, and we have always taken precautions at a collective level," Scaloni added, as quoted by ESPN.
The winner of Tuesday's match will go on to play against Colombia or Switzerland.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, a coach who admits the World Cup is tough! So many teams struggle with form, but Argentina keeps winning despite not being perfect. That's champion mentality. And Messi at 39 playing 120 minutes? Incredible! India should take notes on fitness and teamwork for our national team's growth.
I appreciate Scaloni's honesty about form fluctuations. But as an Indian football fan, I wish our team had the consistency to even qualify for such a stage! Argentina vs Egypt will be a cracker—Messi vs Salah is a dream clash. Hope the winner goes all the way. 🎉
Scaloni's cautious approach is smart—Egypt is no pushover, and Salah can turn any game. But I feel Argentina's depth might be the difference. That said, the fact that no team has dominated shows how competitive football has become globally. India should aim to reach such levels in the next decade!
Scaloni's analysis is spot-on, but I think Argentina's "acceptable level" is a bit modest—they're defending champions after all! 😄 The Messi factor is huge, but Egypt's collective effort could upset them. As an Indian, I'm just happy to see such high-quality football being played. Bring on the knockout stage!
I'd like to see Scaloni's team dominate more—they won all four matches but didn't look invincible. That said, Egypt's inexperience on such a big stage might work in Argentina's favor. India can learn from how Argentina's system adapts to different opponents. Let's hope for a thrilling match!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.