World Cup 2026: The Formidable 'Atlas Lions'

According to a Vietnam News Agency (TTXVN) correspondent in North Africa, besides Argentina, Coach Scaloni also highly rates Spain, France, Portugal, England, Croatia, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, and especially Morocco in the race for the world title. Scaloni's comments reflect Morocco's rising status in international football. Since their historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco has established itself as one of the strongest teams outside Europe and South America.

According to Scaloni, Morocco being ranked among the title contenders is no coincidence but the result of years of sustainable development, from youth training and football infrastructure to the ability to compete on equal terms with the world's top opponents. However, the 48-year-old strategist also stressed that talent and squad strength are not enough to guarantee success at the World Cup. He said: "The World Cup is not just about playing well or having a strong team. Many things need to go right throughout the tournament in order to succeed."

Scaloni used Argentina's championship journey at the 2022 World Cup as an example. The South American team shockingly lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, had to overcome the Netherlands in a tense penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, and faced countless difficulties against France in the final despite taking a 2-0 lead. He recalled: "We experienced many obstacles and were close to elimination several times. That shows how difficult it is to win the World Cup." The Argentina manager believes that small details, competitive spirit, and sometimes even luck can determine the success or failure of any team, including the most prominent contenders.

These praises from Coach Scaloni came just days before the 2026 World Cup kicks off. For Morocco, this is seen as recognition from one of the most successful coaches in world football today, as well as a sign of the growing respect the North African team receives on the international stage. After their remarkable feat in Qatar 2022, Morocco aims to continue asserting itself and demonstrate that previous success was not a one-time phenomenon but the result of a long-term development of the country's football.