FIFA World Cup 2026: “We need to bring out our best version,” says Ar…

New York [US], July 18 (ANI): Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that the team needs to “bring out best version" to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain on Sunday (local time) in New Jersey. saltysenoritaaz.org

While Lionel Messi’s Argentina seek back-to-back titles, the reigning European champions Spain are aiming for their first FIFA World Cup crown since 2010.

Ahead of the final, Lionel Scaloni said Argentina has prepared as they do for every match by studying their opponents and focusing on delivering their best performance. He added that despite being a well-known team, Argentina have earned their place in the final on merit and will do everything possible to win the title.

“We prepare just like in every match, with a lot of desire for things to go well for us, with a willingness to analyze the opponent. We need to bring out our best version to try to win. I think we’re doing well, beyond things we can always improve. We’re a team that’s already well-known by our rivals, and that’s why it has double merit to have reached where we have. We’ll try to win the final," he said during the pre-match press conference.

Scaloni said all of Argentina’s players are in good condition ahead of the final, adding that the team’s final training session will be important. He also noted that both Argentina and Spain share a similar possession-based style of play, with only slight tactical differences.

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“Tomorrow’s training will be an important one, but in principle, all the players are doing well. We are two teams that base everything on the ball. The patterns of play, it’s clear, revolve around the ball, with some nuances, but we think similarly in that regard," he said.

Scaloni said Argentina have been studying all potential World Cup opponents since December and have not focused on Spain alone, adding that both teams know each other well and that overanalysing opponents can be counterproductive.

“We’ve been analyzing the possible World Cup opponents since December; it’s not that we’ve analyzed Spain more than any other. Overanalysis isn’t good either. We’re national teams that know each other," he said.

Scaloni praised Lionel Messi for reaching another FIFA World Cup final at the age of 39, calling his achievement incredible.

“Having been able to reach a final the way Leo has, at the moment he’s in, at 39 years old, is incredible. We have to value what he does and the story and the legend that he is, and this group of players that have led us to wonderful years," he said.

Scaloni expressed his gratitude to the Argentina players for consistently competing at the highest level over the years, describing their journey as incredible and an inspiration, while hoping to cap it off with another World Cup title.

“Eternal gratitude from the coaching staff to these players. It’s not easy to compete at this level for so many years; it’s something wonderful. Hopefully we win, but the journey has been incredible and an example for everyone," he said.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said his sole focus is on winning the FIFA World Cup final, adding that he is enjoying this tournament more than the last due to his improved performances. He expressed gratitude to his family, teammates and the Argentine people, saying he will step onto the field on Sunday with a smile.

“First, we have to win; I only focus on that. Sometimes I cry just thinking about what we’ve achieved with this team. I’m grateful to life and to my family. We have to know how to enjoy moments that last a lifetime," Martinez said.

“I’m enjoying this World Cup much more than the last one. My decision-making is better; I’m better with my feet. I’m eternally grateful to the Argentine people and to my teammates. On Sunday, I’ll step onto the field with a smile," he added. (ANI)

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Trisha Ghosal, London

The debate over India’s next women’s captain is no longer just a conversation among fans. It has become one of the biggest questions confronting Indian cricket following another disappointing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.

Two successive group-stage exits, in 2024 and now in 2026, have exposed a pattern that can no longer be dismissed as a one-off. India continue to possess one of the strongest talent pools in women’s cricket, yet the team has repeatedly failed to translate that potential into sustained success on the biggest stage. The issue, therefore, is no longer just about personnel. It is about leadership, planning and mindset.

Smriti Mandhana’s recent interview with The Times of India added fresh momentum to the discussion. Asked if she was ready to captain India, her answer was simple: “I am ready.” It was not a public campaign for the role, but a statement of preparedness from someone who has served as Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy since 2016. Ten years as vice-captain is more than enough time to understand leadership at the international level. If succession planning was ever part of India’s vision, Mandhana should naturally be next in line.

Former India captain Mithali Raj echoed a similar sentiment while speaking to PTI. “With the vast experience that she (Smriti) has, at least the one-day and Test format should be given to her and perhaps the T20 to someone younger. I think Shafali Verma. Her format is T20Is. And she has led the Under-19 World Cup side [to a title win in 2023]. Why not Shafali? Jemi [Rodrigues] too of course, yes. She has led [Delhi Capitals] in the WPL. Whoever they pick, they need to give them some time to settle.”

That final point is perhaps the most significant. Leadership cannot be judged over one tournament or one bilateral series. It requires continuity, trust and patience.

The larger concern, however, goes beyond who wears the captain’s armband.

When Mithali captained India, women’s cricket lacked professional infrastructure, financial security and a structured domestic ecosystem. Harmanpreet inherited a vastly different landscape. The Women’s Premier League has become a genuine talent factory. Players now have access to elite coaching, international exposure and high-pressure competition before even breaking into the national side.

Yet India’s transition from domestic success to international consistency remains incomplete.

Young cricketers arrive, disappear after a poor series, return months later, and often play without clearly defined roles. There is little sense of continuity or long-term investment. Even Mandhana acknowledged as much in her interview, saying, “The WPL has produced a lot of new talent and several players have made it to the national team. However, I feel they haven’t always been utilised to their best.”

That observation perfectly captures India’s biggest problem. Talent identification has improved dramatically. Talent management has not.

Perhaps the strongest argument for change comes from the remarkable alignment between two of India’s greatest batters from different generations.

Mithali was blunt when she said, “We don’t have a roadmap. We don’t think about two years down the line… We are only thinking series to series. We don’t have a long-term plan.”

Mandhana struck the same chord while looking ahead to the 2028 T20 World Cup: “It’s important to introspect and learn from mistakes… there needs to be a clear roadmap till the 2028 T20 World Cup on how we want to approach the format and what we need to do as a team.”

When both the previous captain and the likely next one are highlighting the absence of a long-term vision, it becomes difficult to ignore.

This is not an indictment of Harmanpreet Kaur’s contribution to Indian cricket. But every leadership cycle has a natural end. The best teams recognise when evolution is necessary instead of waiting for decline to become irreversible.

India now have an opportunity to begin that transition.

Whether it is Smriti Mandhana in the longer formats, with someone like Shafali Verma or Jemimah Rodrigues gradually taking over the T20 side, as Mithali suggested, or another carefully considered succession plan, the decision must be driven by the next four years rather than the next four matches.

Another World Cup disappointment has made one thing abundantly clear. India do not merely need a new captain; they need a new way of thinking. A fresh voice, a defined roadmap and the courage to back a new leadership group could be the first step towards ensuring that the conversation is about trophies rather than missed opportunities.

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New York [US], July 18 (ANI): Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin shared a star-studded selfie from Fanatics Fest 2026, bringing together some of the biggest names from the worlds of sports, music and entertainment ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between defending champions Argentina and Spain on Saturday (local time).

The selfie, clicked by NBA star Kevin Durant, featured Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi alongside NFL legend Tom Brady, tennis great Novak Djokovic, Durant, comedian Kevin Hart, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Rubin, rapper Travis Scott, former England footballer Rio Ferdinand and Spain midfielder Rodri.

Rubin posted the photograph on Instagram with the caption, “Iconic."

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Defending champions Argentina secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over England in the semifinal, overturning a first-half deficit with Enzo Fernandez scoring the equaliser before Lautaro Martinez netted the stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into the title clash against Spain.

The win over England sent Argentina into the World Cup 2026 final, while England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 came to a heartbreaking end.

Spain, on the other hand, secured a place in the FIFA World Cup final for the first time since their 2010 triumph after defeating France 2-0 with a composed performance. Lamine Yamal played a key role in the win, winning a penalty after dispossessing Lucas Digne, which Mikel Oyarzabal converted in the 22nd minute to give Spain the lead.

Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage after the break following a fine move with Dani Olmo, while France struggled to create clear chances.

Yamal had a goal ruled out for offside, and despite late efforts from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, Spain’s defence held firm to secure their sixth clean sheet in seven tournament matches.

The victory booked Spain’s second-ever World Cup final appearance. (ANI)

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