Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico says defending their World Cup title is a dream, as the champions prepare for a unique 48-team tournament in North America.

ONLY Brazil and Italy have achieved consecutive titles, with the last successful defence coming from Brazil in 1962.

“It’s a dream, like our dream of winning one, but we have to focus on the day-to-day, one match at a time,” Tagliafico told AFP.

The South American giants are favourites for this year’s expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

They won the title in Qatar four years ago inspired by Lionel Messi, who has said this will be his sixth and final World Cup.

Argentina topped the South American qualifying standings and largely retain their 2022-winning squad.

Younger players like Valentin Barco have broken into the side, bringing what Tagliafico called “enthusiasm and a strong desire to wear the national jersey”.

He expressed confidence the team would rediscover its best form for the competition.

The Lyon full-back acknowledged this World Cup will be a vastly different logistical challenge.

The tournament will be spread across an entire continent, unlike the compact event in Qatar.

“We know we’ll be in Kansas City, but apart from that, we know nothing,” Tagliafico said of the team’s base camp.

He warned that the expanded format could produce early shocks in the round of 32.

Argentina begin their title defence against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.

They will also face Austria and Jordan in Group F.

The squad faces Mauritius in a friendly on Friday before playing Zambia next Tuesday.

A planned Finalissima match against Spain was cancelled due to geopolitical tensions.

 The Sun Malaysia