Argentina will begin its journey in the 2026 World Cup this Tuesday with a certainty installed within the group: the title of current champion turns each match into a different challenge. This was expressed by Nicolás Otamendi, one of the team's leaders and one of the survivors of the team that lifted the trophy in Qatar 2022.

One day before the premiere against Algeria in Kansas City, the central defender recognized that the status of world champion changes the competitive scenario for the Albiceleste and forces them to maintain a high level from the first minute of the tournament.

“We know that everyone is going to want to beat us because we are the champions,” the footballer said before the media.

Otamendi, who turned 38 on February 12 and faces the fourth World Cup of his career, maintained that the group arrives prepared to face the demands of the tournament and stressed that the focus is on competing without losing sight of humility.

“We prepare to compete, I think we have to be humble and work to face this type of competition,” he expressed.

The defender insisted on the message and added: “We arrived well and we are giving our best because we know that everyone is going to want to beat us, because we are the champions.”

The value of the experience and memory of 2022

Beyond the sporting objective, Otamendi recognized that this edition has a special meaning on a personal level. The center back began to assume that the end of his World Cup history is near and spoke from a more emotional perspective about the moment he is going through.

"I enjoy these moments because it is going to be my last World Cup, I enjoy everyday life, my teammates, it is a nice competition. It is my fourth World Cup and there is nothing more wonderful than being here defending the colors of my country. Very happy for the opportunity," he said.

He also highlighted the internal dynamics of the group and the impact that the constant arrival of new talents has on the Argentine team.

"More and more young people are emerging with a lot of quality and desire to defend these colors. Whoever makes it to the national team is on their own merit and staying there depends on the player. They make the older ones keep competing and that makes Argentina stay up there in these years," he said.

Algeria as first exam

Regarding the debut against the African team, Otamendi avoided any excess of confidence and valued the individual level of the team led by Vladimir Petkovic.

"We have to play our game, they have good players. And I think defensive organization is key," he said.

The defender also recalled one of the most complex experiences of the last World Cup as a warning for the present. In Qatar 2022, Argentina started winning with a penalty converted by Lionel Messi, but ended up losing 2-1 against Saudi Arabia in one of the most surprising results of the tournament.

For this reason, Otamendi insisted that the team cannot relax.

"We have the start of Qatar as an example. Any team is going to make it difficult for you. We have to play our game. In general terms we have to think about our game. With the quality of players we have we can make it difficult for the rival at any time," he pointed out.

Argentina will open Group J activity against Algeria this Tuesday in Kansas City. Later, Austria and Jordan will complete the first day of the zone.