Argentina are gearing up for what they hope will be a successful defence of their World Cup crown. Lionel Scaloni’s side landed their third title in dramatic fashion four years ago, beating France on penalties in a thrilling final.
The reigning champions and current Copa America title holders, La Albiceleste are among the favourites to rule the world for a fourth time in 2026, with Lionel Messi set for what should be one last crack on the biggest stage of all.
Having regained that winning feeling in recent years, and become such tough match opponents in tournament football, Argentina will definitely take some stopping in North America.
Argentina route to the World Cup
Qualifying in South America is played slightly differently to what we’re used to in Europe, with all the teams in the Conmebol region playing each other home and away in a league system. Argentina were able to top the table this time with a nine-point gap from their nearest competitors Ecuador as they finished on 39 points with 12 wins from their 18 games.
There were a couple of hiccups along the way for Albiceleste, including defeats to Colombia and Uruguay and a disappointing away draw in Venezuela but a 4-1 mauling of arch-rivals Brazil in March 2025 at the Monumental will have got pulses rating and expectations rising. That game showcased just how destructive this Argentinian outfit can be on it’s day.
Argentina World Cup 2026 fixtures
Argentina now know their group-stage opponents and schedule for the 2026 World Cup, with all three of their opening matches taking place in the United States. They begin their campaign against Algeria on 16 June and will aim for a stronger start than they managed in Qatar four years earlier. On that occasion, they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
From there, Albiceleste will travel to Arlington, with their final two group stage games taking place at the AT&T Stadium. They face a tough test in the shape of Austria in their second match, but will be expected to face few problems against Jordan in their final group stage game on 27th June.
READ MORE: Get the latest Argentina World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Argentina key players for World Cup 2026
Argentina top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Lionel Messi
- Key stat: Lionel Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the tournament at the 2022 World Cup.
Perhaps Lionel Messi is no longer the unstoppable force he once was, but few would rule out one final moment of brilliance on the international stage this summer. Since joining Inter Miami CF, Messi has scored 53 goals in 56 Major League Soccer appearances. However, with his 39th birthday falling during the tournament, this World Cup could mark the moment he passes the baton to Argentina’s next generation of emerging stars.
Argentina primary playmaker: Enzo Fernandez
- Key stat: Enzo Fernandez assisted three goals for Argentina in qualifying and assisted three goals for Chelsea in their Club World Cup win in the USA last summer.
Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez managed three assists each in qualifying, but sitting in a deeper position, Enzo Fernandez will be able to dictate the tempo for Lionel Scaloni this summer. The Chelsea midfielder completed 87.5% of his 471 attempted passes at the last World Cup, including 43 passes in the final third and he’ll be expected to get on the ball as often as possible for his side this summer.
Argentina card magnets & top tacklers: Gonzalo Montiel
- Key stat: Gonzalo Montiel was one of only two players the 2022 World Cup to be carded more than twice.
Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup Final, but he also rather impressively managed to pick up three bookings at the tournament, despite only starting one game and coming off the bench in three. Argentina had the worst disciplinary record at that tournament, receiving a total of 17 bookings – three more than any other team.
Argentina rising star: Nico Paz
A few highly-rated Argentina stars such as Franco Mastantuono and Alejandro Garnacho have missed out on this squad, but there is a place for Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz. The 21 year old has enjoyed a terrific first season in Serie A, scoring 12 times and assisting on six occassions too. He won’t start, but could prove to be a vital option of the bench.
STAND-OUT STAT: Argentina hold the record for the most penalty shootout victories in World Cup history with six.
Argentina set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Lionel Messi
- Free kicks: Lionel Messi
- Corners: Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul
Argentina tactical analysis and formation
Team stats from qualifying:
- Corners: 112 (10th)
- Shots on target: 4.5 per match (2nd)
- Shots on target conceded: 1.7 per match (1st)
Lionel Scaloni is nothing if not adaptable and while his team nominally sets up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, it regularly drops into a 4-4-2 out of possession to create two banks of four and frustrate an opposition frontline. Regardless of what the shape is, Messi will be given the freedom to roam and pick up space wherever it is to be found, which given his ability is hardly surprising.
There may be a handful of decisions for Scaloni to make when it comes to his final selection and it was noticeable that Lautaro Martinez was not always a guaranteed starter during qualifying. Whether that will remain the case once we reach the real business of a major tournament remains to be seen as Scaloni could be tempted to keep faith in his elder statesmen given the success they brought him four years ago.
Get the latest Argentina World Cup goals, shots, tackle, assist stats are more here.
Argentina manager analysis
Lionel Scaloni has spent his entire managerial career in international football. The 47-year-old briefly coached Argentina’s under-20 side before the Argentine Football Association appointed him as senior manager in 2018 following the departure of Jorge Sampaoli. At the time, the decision represented a significant gamble by the Argentine FA due to Scaloni’s limited coaching experience.
Scaloni’s inexperience could have worked against the Albiceleste but instead, Argentina have thrived. Indeed, they’ve won the Copa America twice, the Finalissima against Italy and, most importantly, the World Cup in Qatar back in 2022.
The Argentine is currently contracted to the national team until after the 2026 World Cup, though success in North America next summer would see the decision makers strive to tie the former midfielder to a new deal.
The stats below are from his current spell in charge of the team.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Scaloni | Argentina | 92 | 65 | 18 | 9 | 187 | 48 | 70.65% |
Argentina World Cup FAQs
Have Argentina ever won the World Cup?
Yes, Argentina have won the World Cup three times in their history. Their first success came in 1978, while they again achieved glory in 1986. Argentina won the most recent World Cup, beating France in the final in 2022. They are aiming to become just the third nation to defend their crown.
Where did Argentina finish at the last World Cup?
Argentina were crowned World Champions in Qatar three years’ ago. They drew with France 3-3 in the final before downing Les Bleus 4-2 on penalties.
Who will be Argentina captain at the World Cup?
Many are hoping Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami star is yet to confirm or deny whether he’ll turn out for his nation next summer. That said, it would be a huge shock were Messi not to represent Argentina in North America. Experienced Benfica centre-back Nicolas Otamendi is vice-captain.
Who is Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Lionel Messi is currently Argentina’s top scorer at World Cups having struck 13 times in the tournament. Seven of those came in Qatar back in 2022.
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