Argentina and Messi's 'easy' path to the semifinals: 'Conspiracies have been registered'

Argentina and captain Lionel Messi seem poised for a relatively straightforward path to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, according to Viaplay expert Petter Veland. This assessment comes after Cape Verde's surprising draw against Saudi Arabia, which altered the tournament bracket.

Veland noted that Cape Verde's result means they will face Argentina in the Round of 16. He believes Argentina would likely win that match and then face the winner of Australia vs. Egypt in the quarterfinals. Potential opponents in a hypothetical quarterfinal include Switzerland, the winner of the Portugal-Colombia group, or a third-place finisher.

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It appears to be the easiest and least convoluted path, and I have already registered conspiracies that FIFA is facilitating it.

He contrasted this potential path with a scenario where Uruguay, a team Veland considers a much tougher opponent, had advanced as expected. "With that background, history, and animosity, it would have been a very difficult hurdle for Argentina," Veland stated.

While Veland acknowledges that the tournament bracket is shaped by chance, he humorously suggested that Messi is likely relieved to be facing Cape Verde instead of Uruguay. However, he also cautioned that "there is a certain risk and a great fall height" in any knockout competition. Messi is currently the tournament's top scorer with five goals, one ahead of several other prominent players.

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He sees the same. He is happy to meet Cape Verde and not Uruguay.