Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Argentina is a three-time FIFA World Cup champion, having won the title in 1978, 1986, and 2022. The 1978 title came on home soil under coach Cesar Luis Menotti, with Mario Kempes winning the Golden Boot. In 1986, Diego Maradona led the team to glory in Mexico in one of the greatest individual World Cup performances of all time. The 2022 triumph in Qatar, under Lionel Scaloni, saw Lionel Messi claim the Golden Ball as Argentina defeated France on penalties in one of the most dramatic finals in tournament history. Argentina has appeared at the World Cup 19 times in total, including two further final appearances as runners-up in 1930 and 2014.

Qualification

Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup as winners of the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, finishing first with 38 points from 18 matches (12 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses). They were the first CONMEBOL nation to clinch their spot, securing qualification with four matchdays remaining. The team finished nine points clear of Ecuador in second place. Lionel Messi scored eight goals during the qualifying campaign. Argentina notably defeated arch-rivals Brazil both home and away on the road to the tournament.

Preparation

Argentina topped Group J with a perfect 9 points (3-0 Algeria, 2-0 Austria, 3-1 Jordan), with Messi scoring in all three matches. He now holds the all-time World Cup goals record with 20. Argentina survived a scare to beat Cape Verde 3-2 (a.e.t.) in the Round of 32, came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16, beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 (a.e.t.) in the quarter-final, and came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the semi-final. Romero (cramps) and Paredes (fatigue) both recovered in time and are available. Argentina face Spain in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.

Latest news

Argentina to face Spain in World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium

· general

Reigning champions Argentina reached the final by beating England 2-1, and will face Spain, who beat France 2-0 in the other semi-final, on Sunday July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Both Cristian Romero (cramps after the quarter-final) and Leandro Paredes (fatigue, substituted 64' vs England) are available for the final, with no suspension concerns for Argentina.

Argentina come from behind to beat England 2-1 in semi-final, reach World Cup final

· matches

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute at Atlanta, but Argentina rallied late: Enzo Fernandez struck from range in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez headed home in the 92nd minute, both assisted by Messi. Argentina advance to the final against Spain on July 19.

Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to reach the semi-finals

· matches

At Kansas City Stadium, Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Dan Ndoye equalised for Switzerland (67'). Breel Embolo's second-booking red card shifted momentum, and Argentina pulled away in extra time through Julian Alvarez (112') and Lautaro Martinez (120+1'). Argentina face England in the semi-final four days later in Atlanta.

Argentina come from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16

· matches

At Atlanta, Egypt led through Yasser Ibrahim (15') and Mostafa Zico (67'), but Argentina fought back: Cristian Romero headed in from a Messi cross (79'), Messi scored himself (83'), and Enzo Fernandez struck the stoppage-time winner (90+2'). Argentina advance to face Switzerland in the quarter-final.

Argentina edge Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in Round of 32 scare

· matches

At Miami Gardens, Messi opened the scoring (29') before Cape Verde's Duarte equalised (59'). In extra time, Lopes Cabral levelled again (103') before Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead (103') and a Borges own goal (111', off a Romero header) sealed a 3-2 win. Messi's goal extended his all-time World Cup goals record to 20. Argentina advance to face Egypt in the Round of 16.

Romero MRI clear; expected back in group training as Scaloni confirms injury far less serious than feared

· injuries

Journalist Gaston Edul reported that Romero's MRI showed no ligament damage and that he would return to group training the day after (June 28) as inflammation subsided. Coach Scaloni confirmed: 'It's much less serious than we expected.' Romero is expected to be available for Argentina's Round of 32 against Cape Verde on July 3 in Miami.

Argentina top Group J, beat Jordan 3-1; Messi's free kick makes him first to score in seven straight World Cup matches

· matches

Nine changes from Austria, Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington. Lo Celso 19' free kick, Lautaro Martinez 31' penalty, Messi (sub ~60') 80' free kick; Al-Tamari 55' for Jordan. Messi's 19th is the all-time World Cup record and first to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches; he leads the Golden Boot with six. Argentina face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Miami.

Romero confirmed out vs Jordan; targeting Round of 16 return on July 3

· injuries

Cristian Romero is confirmed absent for Argentina's final group match against Jordan (June 27) after leaving the Austria game at 57' with a right-knee recurrence. Per journalist Gaston Edul, Romero will remain with Argentina and is expected to be available for the Round of 16 on July 3 in Miami. Scaloni will give Otamendi or Senesi the start at centre-back.

Scaloni confirms multiple changes for Jordan match; Senesi, Barco, Palacios, Simeone and Lopez to get minutes

· squad

With Group J top-spot secured, Scaloni confirmed rotation for Jordan (June 27). Per Gaston Edul, Marcos Senesi, Valentin Barco, Exequiel Palacios, Giuliano Simeone and Jose Manuel Lopez will all get minutes. Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister and De Paul are expected to be rested. Scaloni: 'The idea is to give the majority of the players the chance to play, which they deserve.'

Romero substituted at 57 minutes vs Austria with right-knee recurrence; expected fit for knockouts

· injuries

Romero was substituted at 57' vs Austria with a recurrence of his right-knee injury; Otamendi replaced him. Romero: 'I knew this could happen. I felt it again, but in 3-4 days I'll be fine. Nothing serious.' Scaloni said he does not know the extent yet and Romero would undergo tests; he is expected to be rested vs Jordan (June 27) ahead of the knockouts.

Messi breaks all-time World Cup goals record with brace in 2-0 win over Austria

· matches

Argentina beat Austria 2-0 at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, qualifying for the knockouts with 6/6 points. Messi missed an early penalty but scored 38' (Medina assist) and 90+5', surpassing Klose's all-time WC goals record (17th and 18th goals). Tagliafico returned from his soleus injury as a sub (82'). Romero was withdrawn at 57' with a knee recurrence.

Montiel ruled out vs Austria with new right-quadriceps overload; Molina to start at right-back

· injuries

Montiel suffered a right-quadriceps muscular overload post-Algeria and is ruled out for the June 22 Austria match. He did gym-only work Thursday, returned to pitch Friday but did not complete training, and was withdrawn after assessment. Molina starts at right-back. Availability for Jordan (June 27) is uncertain.

Scaloni expected to rotate vs Austria; Tagliafico faces late fitness test as Molina could return

· injuries

Scaloni is expected to rotate against Austria on June 22. Molina could replace Montiel at right-back, Alvarez is pushing to start over Lautaro Martinez, and Tagliafico is still working back from his left-soleus strain. Medina's solid display vs Algeria means there is no urgency to rush Tagliafico back.

Tagliafico misses Algeria opener with Grade I left-soleus tear

· injuries

Left-back Nicolas Tagliafico did not play in Argentina's opening World Cup match against Algeria due to a Grade I tear in his left soleus sustained during the pre-tournament camp. Scaloni kept him in the squad with the intention of having him available for the Austria match on June 22. Facundo Medina replaced him and played the full game.

Messi hat-trick fires Argentina to 3-0 win over Algeria in World Cup opener

· matches

Argentina opened the defence of their title with a 3-0 win over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. Messi scored in the 16th, 60th and 76th minutes for his first-ever World Cup hat-trick on his 200th cap, becoming the first player at six World Cups and equalling Klose's all-time WC goals record (16). Subs: Alvarez/N. Gonzalez on 54', Nico Paz/Otamendi on 79'.

Emiliano Martinez cleared for World Cup opener after completing first full glove session

· injuries

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez completed his first full training session wearing both gloves on June 11/12, having missed both warm-up friendlies with a hairline fracture of the ring finger on his right hand sustained during the Europa League final warm-up on May 20. He is confirmed to start in Argentina's World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.

AFA confirms Marcos Senesi replaces injured Balerdi in World Cup squad

· squad

The AFA officially confirmed on June 11 that Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi (born 1997-05-10, 3 Argentina caps, joining Tottenham on July 1) will replace Leonardo Balerdi, who was ruled out on June 6 with a right-soleus muscle tear. Senesi is set to join the squad at their Kansas City base ahead of the June 16 opener against Algeria.

Balerdi replacement still unconfirmed; Guido Rodriguez reported as frontrunner

· squad

As of June 10, the Wednesday deadline Scaloni set for naming Balerdi's replacement, no addition had been officially confirmed by the AFA. ESPN Argentina (Esteban Edul) reported Valencia midfielder Guido Rodriguez as the frontrunner, with Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Capaldo, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Maximo Perrone and Emiliano Buendia also mentioned. Scaloni cautioned that several players are not at 100%.

Messi shakes off injury fears after scoring on his return against Iceland

· injuries

After scoring on his comeback against Iceland, Messi said he felt very good and wanted to play to shed the normal fears that follow a knock, having managed left-hamstring discomfort since May 24. Scaloni said Messi is no longer training alone and is progressing well, easing concern ahead of the June 16 opener against Algeria.

Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in final warm-up as Messi returns and scores

· matches

Argentina won their final pre-World Cup friendly 3-0 against Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, before a crowd of about 88,000. Valentin Barco opened the scoring (8'), Lionel Messi converted a penalty (72') shortly after coming on around the 70th minute, and Thiago Almada added the third (86'). It was Messi's first action of the camp after his hamstring issue.

Balerdi ruled out of the World Cup with a right-soleus muscle tear

· squad

The AFA confirmed on June 6, the morning of the Honduras friendly, that defender Leonardo Balerdi suffered a right-soleus muscle tear in the final training session and will not be part of Argentina's World Cup roster; he left the camp for home. Scaloni must name a replacement from the 55-man preliminary list; Marcos Senesi is reported as the favourite, though no replacement had been confirmed.

Argentina beat Honduras 2-0 in pre-World Cup friendly as Messi rests

· matches

Argentina won their first warm-up 2-0 against Honduras at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Lautaro Martinez scored a 37th-minute penalty and Giuliano Simeone added the second (54'). Messi stayed on the bench managing muscle fatigue while Cristian Romero returned to action, and Scaloni handed four senior debuts. Iceland follows on June 9 before the June 16 opener against Algeria.

Scaloni trials probable XI in open Kansas City session for Honduras friendly

· matches

At an open Kansas City session, Scaloni began shaping his side for the June 6 friendly against Honduras. Messi, Molina, Paredes and Paz worked separately and Julian Alvarez was rested for load management. Scaloni trialled a line-up around Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada and Lautaro Martinez, with Rulli or Musso in goal.

Molina, Montiel, Paz and Paredes among players managing physical issues in camp

· injuries

Reports from the Kansas City camp listed more players with physical issues alongside Messi and Emiliano Martinez: Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel (both muscle tears), Nico Paz (a minor right-knee problem) and Leandro Paredes (hamstring overload), all training separately. Montiel is the most uncertain. Most are expected fit for the June 16 opener but rested for the friendlies.

Scaloni names final 26-man squad; Mastantuono and Acuna left out

· squad

Lionel Scaloni announced Argentina's official 26-man World Cup squad on 28 May 2026, keeping 17 of the 2022 title winners and captain Lionel Messi for a record sixth World Cup. The headline omissions were Franco Mastantuono and Qatar 2022 winner Marcos Acuna. The list features three goalkeepers, eight defenders and a blend of veterans and emerging talent.

Five new faces in: Balerdi, Medina, Montiel, Lo Celso and Flaco Lopez

· squad

Relative to the provisional list, Scaloni's final 26 added Marseille pair Leonardo Balerdi and Facundo Medina, River Plate full-back Gonzalo Montiel, Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel 'Flaco' Lopez. Geronimo Rulli, Balerdi and Medina give Marseille three representatives in the squad.

Romero included and on track to feature in June warm-up friendlies

· injuries

Cristian Romero, who suffered a partial knee ligament tear that ended his Tottenham season, was named in the final squad and is reported to be on track to recover for Argentina's June warm-up matches against Honduras (6 June) and Iceland (9 June) ahead of the World Cup, though he may arrive short of match rhythm.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Emiliano MartinezGKAston Villa
Geronimo RulliGKOlympique Marseille
Juan MussoGKAtletico Madrid
Cristian RomeroDFTottenham Hotspur
Gonzalo MontielDFCA River Plate
Marcos SenesiDFBournemouth
Facundo MedinaDFOlympique Marseille
Lisandro MartinezDFManchester United
Nicolas OtamendiDFSL Benfica
Nahuel MolinaDFAtletico Madrid
Nicolas TagliaficoDFOlympique Lyon
Alexis Mac AllisterMFLiverpool
Enzo FernandezMFChelsea
Rodrigo De PaulMFInter Miami CF
Leandro ParedesMFCA Boca Juniors
Exequiel PalaciosMFBayer 04 Leverkusen
Giovani Lo CelsoMFReal Betis
Nico PazMFComo 1907
Valentin BarcoMFRC Strasbourg Alsace
Lionel MessiFWInter Miami CF
Lautaro MartinezFWInter Milan
Julian AlvarezFWAtletico Madrid
Nicolas GonzalezFWAtletico Madrid
Jose Manuel LopezFWPalmeiras
Thiago AlmadaFWAtletico Madrid
Giuliano SimeoneFWAtletico Madrid

Recent results

  • 2023-09-07 — ARG 1-0 ECU (qualification)
  • 2023-09-12 — BOL 0-3 ARG (qualification)
  • 2023-10-12 — ARG 1-0 PAR (qualification)
  • 2023-10-17 — PER 0-2 ARG (qualification)
  • 2023-11-16 — ARG 0-2 URU (qualification)
  • 2023-11-21 — BRA 0-1 ARG (qualification)
  • 2024-03-22 — ARG 3-0 SLV (friendly)
  • 2024-03-26 — ARG 3-1 CRC (friendly)
  • 2024-06-09 — ARG 1-0 ECU (friendly)
  • 2024-06-14 — ARG 4-1 GUA (friendly)
  • 2024-09-05 — ARG 3-0 CHI (qualification)
  • 2024-09-10 — COL 2-1 ARG (qualification)
  • 2024-10-10 — VEN 1-1 ARG (qualification)
  • 2024-10-15 — ARG 6-0 BOL (qualification)
  • 2024-11-14 — PAR 2-1 ARG (qualification)
  • 2024-11-19 — ARG 1-0 PER (qualification)
  • 2025-03-21 — URU 0-1 ARG (qualification)
  • 2025-03-25 — ARG 4-1 BRA (qualification)
  • 2025-06-05 — CHI 0-1 ARG (qualification)
  • 2025-06-10 — ARG 1-1 COL (qualification)
  • 2025-09-04 — ARG 3-0 VEN (qualification)
  • 2025-09-09 — ECU 1-0 ARG (qualification)
  • 2025-10-10 — ARG 1-0 VEN (friendly)
  • 2025-10-14 — PUR 0-6 ARG (friendly)
  • 2025-11-14 — ANG 0-2 ARG (friendly)
  • 2026-03-27 — ARG 2-1 MTN (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — ARG 5-0 ZAM (friendly)
  • 2026-06-16 — ARG 3-0 ALG (group)
  • 2026-06-22 — ARG 2-0 AUT (group)
  • 2026-06-27 — JOR 1-3 ARG (group)
  • 2026-07-03 — ARG 3-2 CPV (round_of_32)
  • 2026-07-07 — ARG 3-2 EGY (round_of_16)
  • 2026-07-11 — ARG 3-1 SUI (quarter_final)
  • 2026-07-15 — ENG 1-2 ARG (semi_final)

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