Scaloni vows focus in Argentina World Cup defense

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Friday his team would take no opponent lightly as it aims to defend its FIFA World Cup crown next year.

The three-time World Cup winner was drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Washington on Friday.

"We are going to do what we did in the last World Cup, which is to give everything we can, not to give a ball up for lost," Scaloni told reporters.

He said each participant deserved its place in football's showpiece tournament, adding that any team was capable of causing surprises.

"Austria had outstanding qualifiers," the 47-year-old said. "Jordan may be the least familiar side to us, but nothing can be underestimated. They're here for a reason."

"Algeria is always competitive and physically intense. Every match must be approached with total seriousness. It's a group where we need to give our absolute best."

Argentina will start its campaign against Algeria on June 16, before confronting Austria six days later and ending the group stage against Jordan on June 27.

Scaloni added that the memory of his team's opening 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 tournament in Qatar remains vivid.

"We have that experience, we have to be at our best every match," Scaloni added.