“In 2026, Argentina arrive with Messi being two years older” - Carlo Ancelotti names early favourites to win next FIFA World Cup

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has named England as an early favorite ahead of Lionel Messi's Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Three Lions won their first, and to date, their only World Cup title in 1966.

They haven't won a major international trophy since, but it is not for want of trying. They have been the runners-up in the last two editions of the UEFA Euros (2020, 2024) and were the losing semi-finalists in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Ancelotti believes England, who recently parted ways with manager Gareth Southgate, still have enough quality in their ranks to win the 2026 World Cup in North America. He recently featured on The Obi One Podcast, where he was asked by John Obi Mikel if the England job will ever tempt him in the future.

The Italian tactician replied (48:00):

"I can say that England is really close to winning [an international trophy]. They were there [in the final] four years ago, they were there this year, they are really close. [Gareth] Southgate has now left, but the [current] generation [of footballers] are really good. They have fantastic players, young.

"Maybe 2026 World Cup [they’ll win], why not? Because there are a lot of national teams with difficulties. Brazil has problems now, Argentina is doing really well. But in 2026, Argentina arrive at the World Cup with Messi being two years older."

Ancelotti seemingly expects Argentina's dependance on Messi to decrease in the coming years given the player is already 37 years old. He has had his fair share of fitness concerns since moving to Inter Miami last year and it remains to be seen if he will feature in the next World Cup.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, of course, guided Argentina to 2022 FIFA World Cup glory — his first and his team's third in history. He won the Golden Ball award after scoring seven times in as many appearances in Qatar.

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Lionel Messi did not rule out 2026 FIFA World Cup participation

Lionel Messi didn't rule out the possibility of representing Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He doesn't have anything left to prove in the game, having won every trophy there is to win at the club and international level.

However, it is safe to assume Messi would want to become the first player in history to win two World Cups as captain. Addressing the possibility of representing La Albiceleste in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the former Barcelona superstar told InfoBae in June (via New York Times):

"It depends on how I feel [when asked if he will play at 2026 FIFA WC], how I am physically and knowing whether I’m at the level to be able to compete and help my team-mates. There is still a long time until the tournament, but it goes quickly. I don’t know how I will be in that moment and if I feel I will be at the level to help my team-mates.

“Age is also a reality, even if it is a number, and then there are my (club) games. They’re not going to be the same as when I played in European competition, which were every three days; in the Champions League or league, either in France or Spain."

Messi's trophy cabinet hasn't stopped filling since the end of the 2022 World Cup. He notably won the Ballon d'Or in 2023 and lifted the Copa America for the second time in his career last month.