Lionel Messi knows repeating as World Cup winner in 2026 will be a massive challenge for Argentina. He also has a clear idea of which teams stand in the way and it seems Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal is not one of them.

Argentina hope to match decades-old achievement

Argentina will defend its title at the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next June and July. On Friday, the reigning champions will finally learn their path as they attempt to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil pulled it off in 1958 and 1962. Messi, now the face of Inter Miami, made it clear the road will be anything but easy.

France tried to repeat in 2022 but fell just short, losing a dramatic final to an inspired Argentina side led by a brilliant Messi and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who delivered several heroic moments.

Messi’s 2026 World Cup tips

Although Argentina enters the 2026 tournament among the favorites, the former Barcelona star admitted that several other national teams are just as dangerous. Messi also made headlines for who he did not include on his list of contenders, leaving Ronaldo and Portugal outside his group of favorites.

“There are a lot of very good teams like Spain, France again, England, Brazil, which has gone a long time without winning, Germany. It is very difficult, but we are going to fight, we are going to give everything,” Messi told ESPN.

Oddsmakers’ favorites

Oddsmakers at DraftKings list Spain as the top favorite to win the 2026 World Cup. England is close behind as it looks to end a title drought that stretches back to 1966. France and Brazil follow, with defending champion Argentina rounding out the top five.

Portugal sits right behind them as the sixth favorite, even if Messi does not see Ronaldo’s team as a major threat.

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