Argentina
Argentina - Group F (Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria)
The only team that has an edge over Brazil in head-to-head international matches and can compete with them consistently is their South American neighbor Argentina.
A force to reckon throughout the 70's and 80's, Argentina have lost a bit of their flair after losing the '90 final but the advent of Lionel Messi would make them one of the favorites of the tourney. The cup being hosted in South America will surely be an advantage for them
Profile - Underachiever
With star studded strike force assisting Messi, Argentina's only concern would be its improving but still shoddy defense. Although he impressed in the qualifiers, Messi has not lived up to his potential on international stage. Ever since Calros Tevez, the most loved footballer in the country after Maradona, was sidelined by coach Sabella, the Argentine goal-scoring and Messi's firepower has improved but the team will be under radar on how they'd cope with the cup after a less than impressive showing last decade
Confederation: CONMEBOL (South America)
Coach: Alejandro Sabella (ARG)
FIFA Ranking: 7 (8-May-2014)
Nickname: La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue)
Key Players: Messi, Aguero, Di Maria
Legends: Kempes, Maradona, Batistuta
World Champions: 1978, 1986
History - Maradona to Messi
Argentina has been world champions twice. Once as hosts in 1978 and then Maradona's Mexico 1986. They also played the inaugural cup's finale in 1930 which was won by hosts Uruguay (4-2) and then lost to West Germany in 1990 final (1-0) when Argentina became the first team not to score in a cup final.
They also won the inaugural Confederations cup in 1992 (then the King Fahd cup) and the Summer Olympics twice in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008
They also won the inaugural Confederations cup in 1992 (then the King Fahd cup) and the Summer Olympics twice in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008
Qualification - Force to Reckon
After an initial stumble in the second round loss to Venezuela, Argentina set a fourteen match unbeaten run to top the CONMEBOL qualifiers with nine wins, five draws and two losses. Their only other loss came against the strong Uruguayan side in the final round. They are unbeaten in friendlies since then
Prospects - Neighborhood Advantage
The World Cup being staged in South America would make Argentina one of the favorites only behind Brazil
With a relatively straightforward group and a round of 16 encounter with low-strength Group E, Argentina's first significant obstacle in the cup could be presented in the form of either Belgium or Portugal in the last eight. Their road to finals would consists of a clash with either of the last two cup winners Spain or Italy and if everything goes according to plan, they might as well face Brazil for the glory in the final
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)
Defenders:
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Jose Basanta (Monterrey)
Midfielders:
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica)
Forwards:
Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St-Germain)
May 13: Alejandro Sabella announced the 30-man provisional squad
May 13: Alejandro Sabella announced the 30-man provisional squad
Fixtures
Argentina vs Bosnia on June 15 at Rio De Janeiro
Argentina vs Iran on June 21 at Belo Horizonte
Nigeria vs Argentina on June 25 at Porto Alegre
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