The 2026 World Cup draw not only arranged the 12 groups of the competition, but it also opened the door to strategic interpretations and speculations regarding the knockout-stage matchups. One of the most resonant perspectives was that of Diego Forlán, who anticipated that some national teams could play under the constraint of the possibility of facing the Argentina national team in the round of 32.
In a conversation with Sergio Goycochea on DSports Radio, the former Uruguayan footballer pointed directly to Group H, which his national team shares with Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. For "Cachavacha," that group will be defined by the need to obtain the exact result that will make it possible to avoid the Albiceleste, which is in Group J.
"Argentina got an easy group. That means it has a great chance of finishing first, which puts conditions on Uruguay and Spain's group, without underestimating Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, against whom everyone has to be very careful because in today's football the playing field has become much more level," he explained.
Meanwhile, the former Independiente player went into greater depth about the impact that the final matchday of the group stage could have. "You have national teams with players of a very high level with whom you can make the difference, but you're going to play, everyone hopes, God willing, for a place in the next round," he commented.
"What the first and second place will be, and depending on that, your destiny and the possibility of facing an Argentina already in the round of 32 can change a bit," he added.
