FIFA World Cup 2022 winner Angel Di Maria names his favorites for 2026 World Cup and it's not just Lionel Messi led Argentina

Argentina legend Angel Di Maria has revealed the teams he believes have the best chance of winning the FIFA World Cup 2026. The former winger, who played a major role in Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign, shared his thoughts in a recent interview. Di Maria pointed to France, Spain and Portugal as the strongest challengers for football’s biggest prize. He believes all three nations have the quality, depth and form needed to go far in the tournament.

Di Maria also spoke about Argentina’s chances of defending their world title. The 38-year-old praised the balance between experienced players and emerging talent in Lionel Scaloni’s squad. He feels the younger generation is helping maintain high standards within the team. According to him, competition for places remains one of Argentina’s greatest strengths ahead of the tournament, with every player needing to earn their spot in the starting lineup.

Angel Di Maria backs Europe’s top teams while praising Argentina’s squad depth

Angel Di Maria believes France will once again be among the leading contenders because of the country’s ability to consistently develop top-class footballers. He told the Ballon d’Or website that the French national team continues to perform at a high level and always produces talented players capable of competing for major trophies.

The Argentine also highlighted Spain as another serious threat. He noted that the Spanish team has been playing excellent football in recent years. While he acknowledged that injuries could influence their campaign, he feels Spain has enough quality to challenge for the title if key players return fully fit.

Portugal was another team that caught Di Maria’s attention. He praised the strength of their squad and pointed to midfield stars João Neves and Vitinha as players who bring creativity and control to the team. In his view, Portugal possesses several players capable of making a decisive impact during important matches.

Speaking about Lionel Messi led Argentina, Di Maria said the arrival of younger players has created healthy competition within the squad. He explained that these emerging talents are eager to prove themselves. They push the more experienced players to maintain their performance levels. He added that coach Lionel Scaloni has built a culture where no position is guaranteed.

Di Maria stressed that only Lionel Messi can truly be considered an automatic selection. Every other player must continue to earn their place through hard work and strong performances. He believes this competitive environment has helped Argentina remain one of the strongest teams in world football. It gives them a solid chance of defending their World Cup crown in 2026.