The FIFA World Cup 2026 has finally started on June 12 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, followed by a match between South Korea and Czechia. Now the FIFA fever will shift to Canada, with the opening match to be played between Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, followed by the Group D match between the USA and Paraguay.
Amid all the World Cup excitement, there’s one name that seems to rise above every group, every fixture, and every headline – Lionel Messi. The mere prospect of watching the greatest footballer to ever grace the game step back onto the world stage has fans everywhere buzzing with anticipation, and Argentina’s presence in this tournament adds a layer of magic that only he can bring.
Lionel Messi will eye back-to-back World Cup titles
Argentina walks into this World Cup carrying the weight of expectation that only defending champions truly understand. Sitting at the top of the FIFA World Rankings, Messi’s side arrives with a settled squad, a clear identity, and once again, the Argentina star will be in the limelight. Argentina will eye back-to-back World Cup titles, something no team has ever done since Brazil pulled it off in 1962.
Argentina’s squad trashed Honduras 2-0 even without Messi in the starting lineup, before finishing their preparations in style with a commanding 3-0 victory over Iceland. That game saw Messi come off the bench and, almost inevitably, get himself on the scoresheet. Two clean sheets, momentum building, and their talisman firing.
Scaloni has shown faith in the same faces, who lifted the trophy last time out. Lionel Messi leading the charge as captain, Emiliano Martinez commanding the goal with the kind of presence that unnerves even the sharpest of strikers, Cristian Romero bringing his trademark aggression and intensity to the heart of defence, and a midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul that offers creativity, grit, and energy in equal measure.
Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 squad
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille)
Defenders
Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders
Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)
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Forwards
Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
Frequently asked questions
Which group is Argentina placed in at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Argentina is placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
When is Argentina playing their opening match in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Argentina will play its FIFA 2026 opener against Algeria on June 16 at the Kansas Stadium – 8:00 pm local time (6:30 am IST, June 17).
Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture
Lionel Messi-led side will face Austria on June 22 at the Dallas Stadium – 12:00 pm local time (10:30 pm IST, June 22), followed by a match against Jordan on June 27 – 9:30 pm local time (7:30 am IST, June 28).
How can Argentina play in the round of 32?
If Argentina manages to win Group J, they will head into the Round of 32 on July 3 in Miami Gardens. However, if they finish second in Group J, they will feature in a separate round of 32 fixture in early July
Where to watch Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
USA: FOX, Telemundo
India: Zee5, Unite8 Sports Channels
Bangladesh: BTV, Somoy TV, T Sports
Also Read: Top 5 Players Who Have Appeared in The Most FIFA World Cups
