The Argentina national football team enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the reigning champion and one of the biggest favorites to win again. After topping the CONMEBOL qualifiers, Argentina secured its place for the fourth consecutive time. The upcoming tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promises an unforgettable campaign for the Albiceleste as they aim to defend their world title.
Argentina’s Path to the 2026 Tournament
The expanded 48-team format introduces 12 groups of four nations each. This structure increases opportunities and intensity, giving Argentina a broader stage to showcase their trademark attacking football. As the defending champion, Argentina carries immense expectations while maintaining balance between experience and youthful energy.
Argentina 2026 World Cup Fixtures and Match Schedule
Below is the projected schedule for Argentina’s World Cup group-stage and early knockout matches based on current reports. Official announcements from FIFA will follow closer to the tournament.
| Stage | Date | Opponent | Venue (City, Country) | Match Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage – Match 1 | June 13, 2026 | Argentina vs Nigeria | Los Angeles, USA (SoFi Stadium) | Group opener |
| Group Stage – Match 2 | June 18, 2026 | Argentina vs South Korea | Guadalajara, Mexico (Estadio Akron) | Second match |
| Group Stage – Match 3 | June 23, 2026 | Argentina vs Denmark | Dallas, USA (AT&T Stadium) | Final group clash |
| Round of 32 | June 29, 2026 | Argentina vs Japan | Houston, USA (NRG Stadium) | Knockout round begins |
| Round of 16 | July 4, 2026 | Argentina vs Netherlands | Atlanta, USA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) | Classic rivalry |
Each match will unfold in a world-class stadium, reflecting the scale and quality of this edition’s host nations.
Download Argentina 2026 Schedule PDF
Fans can access the Argentina World Cup 2026 Schedule PDF that includes all confirmed and expected match details — dates, times, and venues. It’s designed for quick offline reference and ideal for travel or viewing on mobile devices. The PDF helps keep track of Argentina’s entire route in the tournament.
Predicted Argentina Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Argentina’s predicted squad showcases a balanced mix of 2022 World Cup heroes and young stars rising from Europe’s elite clubs. The blend of leadership, energy, and technical mastery keeps Argentina among the world’s most complete teams.
Goalkeepers
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
- Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille)
- Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace)
- Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)
Defenders
- Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)
- Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
- Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
- Nicolás Tagliafico (Marseille)
- Marcos Acuña (River Plate)
- Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
- Facundo Medina (Lens)
- Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille)
- Germán Pezzella (River Plate)
Midfielders
- Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Leandro Paredes (AS Roma)
- Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Thiago Almada (Lyon)
- Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid)
- Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City)
- Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
- Nicolás Paz (Como)
Forwards
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
- Julián Álvarez (Atletico Madrid)
- Paulo Dybala (AS Roma)
- Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
- Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
- Nicolás González (Juventus)
- Matías Soulé (AS Roma)
- Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
This squad embodies Argentina’s football identity — technical brilliance, determination, and tactical discipline.
Stadiums Hosting Argentina Matches
Argentina’s fixtures stretch across iconic venues in the United States and Mexico, with each ground offering distinctive settings and fan experiences.
| Venue | City | Country | Capacity |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | USA | 70,000+ |
| Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | Mexico | 46,000 |
| AT&T Stadium | Dallas | USA | 80,000+ |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | USA | 72,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | USA | 71,000 |
More stadium details can be explored by viewing the official team schedules of other hosts:
- England 2026 World Cup Schedule
- Canada 2026 World Cup Schedule
- Mexico 2026 World Cup Schedule
- USA 2026 World Cup Schedule
Local Match Times Across Regions
Argentina’s fixtures will align with North American local times, with fans in Buenos Aires experiencing time differences depending on the host city.
| Date | USA (ET) | Argentina (ART) | Mexico (CT) |
| June 13 | 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| June 18 | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| June 23 | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
Each match will receive global television coverage across official broadcasting platforms once confirmed by FIFA.
Argentina’s 2026 Journey and Talking Points
The upcoming World Cup campaign will test Argentina’s consistency, unity, and adaptation. Several narratives define the road ahead:
- Lionel Messi possibly featuring in his final World Cup
- Integration of new talents such as Garnacho, Echeverri, and Mastantuono
- Tactical continuation of the Scaloni era emphasizing flexibility and teamwork
- Historic stadium experiences across USA, Mexico, and Canada
Argentina’s focus remains on performance, discipline, and preserving the legacy of the 2022 triumph.
Conclusion
The Argentina 2026 World Cup Fixtures, Matches & Schedule reflect both legacy and ambition. Each encounter offers a chance to witness Argentina’s excellence on football’s grandest stage. The combination of iconic venues, a strong squad, and global support ensures that the Albiceleste remain the centerpiece of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Every fan, wherever they are, will be watching as Argentina begins another chapter in football history.