2026 World Cup: Are Argentina favourites for this summer's trophy?

Ahead of Argentina's clash with Jordan astatine the 2026 World Cup, Sports Mole's Site Coordinator Ben Knapton discusses whether the South American federation merit to beryllium branded arsenic favourites.

Ben Knapton, Site Coordinator: 'Hard to place the existent standout favourite'

It is simply a truly hard call, arsenic nary of the existent standout favourites person yet played 1 of the different large heavyweights. 

The lone imaginable objection truthful acold is France versus Senegal. Until those clashes happen, it volition beryllium hard to place the existent standout favourite. 

France are inactive the squad astir would constituent to first. Argentina's qualifying grounds flew somewhat nether the radar: they topped their radical 10 points wide of their closest rivals, but the run was not without blemishes, including a decision to Paraguay and a gully against Venezuela. 

CONMEBOL qualifying is simply a overmuch longer and much arduous process than UEFA, with each squad playing each different team. What Argentina person done astatine this World Cup, admittedly against expected radical opponents, has been impressive. 

Only 1 changeable connected people has been conceded crossed the 2 games, a speculative Marcel Sabitzer acceptable portion successful the Austria match. It is present 5 wins successful a enactment without conceding. 

They person retained 17 of the aforesaid players from Qatar and person that blend of experienced veterans alongside young midfielders and strikers who tin inject beingness into a crippled from the bench. 

In the knockout rounds, with other clip besides a factor, that extent could marque a important difference. France person a akin illustration of unsafe young attackers connected the bench. Argentina whitethorn person climbed supra Spain, though.