Argentina’s bid for World Cup immortality is the end of an era

Argentina enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as defending champions, aiming to become only the third nation in history to win consecutive World Cups, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1958 and 1962. The tournament represents the end of a golden era for the team built around Lionel Messi, with the squad expected to transition to a new generation after this summer. Only Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) have ever successfully defended the World Cup title.