2022 FIFA World Cup Team Preview: Argentina

Argentina World Cup Team Preview

Argentina

FIFA Ranking: 3
Manager: Lionel Scaloni
Federation: CONMEBOL
Group: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia
Odds to win World Cup: +600, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to win Group C: -220, FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds to advance in Group C: -1000, Caesars

How did Argentina qualify for the World Cup?

Argentina is currently on a 35-game unbeaten run and breezed through CONMEBOL qualifying.

Who is Argentina’s most important player?

Lionel Messi

Argentina’s squad is full of world-class talent, but how can we pick anyone other than Leo Messi here? For those people who have had their head in a rock for the last 20 years or have never watched or heard about a single second of soccer, here are some Leo Messi accomplishments:

7x Ballon d’Or winner (most all time)
474 goals in La Liga (most all time)
345 recorded assists (most in football history)
785 career goals for club and country
4x Champions League champion
10x La Liga titles

This list can go on for two full pages, but you get the gist. Messi is arguably the greatest soccer player of all timem and this is likely his last World Cup he will play in.

What are Argentina’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?

Argentina is expected to play a 4-3-3 formation with Leo Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria up top. This team’s style of play has traits of Barcelona’s famous Tiki-Taka, which is all about controlling possession of the ball, particularly in the midfield until eventually Messi and the front three can work their magic.

Argentina’s biggest strength is their front three. Although Argentina have had a plethora of elite strikers over the years, this trio of Messi, Martinez and Di Maria have really clicked over the last 18 months.

I don’t believe Argentina has any true weaknesses, that is why sportsbooks list them as the second-favorite behind Brazil to win the entire tournament. Their defense and goalkeeping in years past has always been their weakness, but they have only conceded two goals in their last 14 games.

Argentina are in brilliant form with a current unbeaten match streak of 35 games.

What is Argentina’s World Cup Outlook?

When you’re Argentina, and it’s potentially Leo Messi’s last World Cup, it’s World Cup winners or bust. This side has every expectation to win the whole thing and certainly have the talent to do so. Their biggest challenge could end up being their side of the bracket. If England finish second in their group, Argentina would likely see England in the quarter finals. No matter what, if Argentina and Brazil both win their group and advance, they will meet each other in the semifinals. If England win their group, Argentina’s path to the semifinals is pretty straight forward as they would have to beat Denmark (assuming France win Group D) and the Netherlands. Whereas Brazil will likely have to face one of Germany or Spain to advance to the semifinals. If the favorites win their groups, Argentina has the cleanest path to the semis.