Beyond football and the talent of its players, Argentina is excited about some coincidences of destiny. The Albiceleste advanced to the final of the 2026 World Cup against Spain after a campaign marked by character and ability to react.
In the semifinals, Lionel Scaloni’s team came back against England and went from losing 0-1 to winning 2-1. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored the goals in the final minutes.
Off the field, Argentine fans found several coincidences that fuel the illusion of seeing Lionel Messi lift the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
One of them is in the numbers: Argentina scored 19 goals and conceded seven until the semifinal. The sum gives 26, figures that coincide with the date of the final, July 19, 2026. The historic photograph also resurfaced in which a young Messi holds Lamine Yamal, who will now be his rival.
The coincidences
- Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup in 1978, 1986 and 2022, the three tournaments where Argentina was champion. In 2026 Nigeria also did not qualify.
- In the only two World Cups where Canada had participated (Mexico 1986 and Qatar 2022) Argentina was champion. Canada played the 2026 World Cup as co-host and Argentina is already in the final.
- When the venue belongs to Concacaf countries, the champion has always been South American: Brazil in Mexico 1970, Argentina in Mexico 1986 and Brazil in the United States 1994. The 2026 World Cup is organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada.
- Italy lost the final in 1994 and won its fourth star 12 years later in 2006. Germany lost the final in 2002 and won its fourth star 12 years later in 2014. Argentina lost the final in 2014 and plays its final 12 years later in 2026 seeking its fourth star.
- Numerical coincidence: the Argentine players trained in the 2021 Copa América make up the date “7-19-2026” coinciding with that of the 2026 World Cup final.
- Japan was the first team to qualify for the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, tournaments where Italy and Germany won their fourth title. Japan was also the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
- In 1985 Platini won the Ballon d’Or and a year later Argentina was champion. In 2021 Benzema won the Ballon d’Or and a year later Argentina was champion. In 2025 Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or and a year later Argentina seeks the title.
- Brazil was runner-up in the Maracaná in 1950 and eight years later began its path to the two-time championship with titles in 1958 and 1962. Argentina was runner-up in the Maracaná in Brazil 2014 and eight years later won in Qatar 2022, now seeking the two-time championship in 2026.
The last time France was eliminated in the semifinals was in 1986 and that year Argentina was crowned champion by Diego Maradona. In 2026 France fell in the semifinals again and Argentina is in the final again.
Coincidence or destiny, the truth is that the numbers, history and patterns that are repeated in world football seem to conspire in favor of the Albiceleste in what could be the most glorious night of Lionel Messi’s career if Argentina manages to win its fourth star this Sunday against Spain.