Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has cautioned that the 2026 World Cup is proving exceptionally challenging, with no single nation establishing clear dominance. He noted that even favored teams like France struggled against lower-ranked opposition, citing their match against Paraguay. Spain also faced difficulties, and Scaloni observed a general dip in pre-tournament form across all teams, attributing it to player fatigue and unfamiliar conditions.

Despite these observations, Argentina has navigated the tournament successfully, topping Group J with three wins before advancing to the round of 16 via extra time against Cape Verde. Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi, at 39, is in excellent physical condition to participate in his 30th World Cup match, despite playing 120 minutes in their last outing.

Looking ahead to their round of 16 clash with Egypt, Scaloni acknowledged the threat posed by Mohamed Salah and his squad, emphasizing the need for collective defensive precautions. While recognizing Egypt as a formidable opponent, Scaloni maintained that Argentina, having won all four of their matches thus far, remains a contender for the title.