FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Defending champions. Three time winners. The team every Group J rival wants to dodge. FIFA World Cup 2026 Argentina lands in North America as the side to beat, drawn with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. No nation has won back to back titles since Brazil in 1962, and Argentina want to be the next.
Lionel Scaloni has led the Albiceleste since 2018 and built their deepest squad in decades. He won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup. Argentina enter their 19th World Cup ranked number one in the world, a spot they reclaimed on June 11, 2026 with 1,877 points.
Lionel Messi plays his record sixth World Cup, anchoring a 26 man squad that keeps 17 of the players who lifted the trophy in Qatar. He turns 39 on June 24, right in the middle of the group stage. The question is not whether Argentina can win. It is how far Messi can carry them one last time.
Argentina World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Argentina sits in the Argentina Time Zone (ART, UTC-3). The country does not use daylight saving time in June, so local kick-offs run three hours behind UTC and one hour ahead of Eastern Time.
| Date | Opponent | Time (Local ART) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 16 | Algeria | 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium |
| Monday, June 22 | Austria | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Dallas Stadium |
| Saturday, June 27 | Jordan | 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Dallas Stadium |
Two of the three group games take place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Kansas City opener against Algeria hands Messi a prime stage and a likely huge audience.
The top two teams in Group J move straight to the Round of 32, the first knockout round. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also go through, so the safety net is wide.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Argentina Matches
In Argentina, every Albiceleste match is free to air on TV Pública and Telefe. Telefe adds Argentine commentary plus pre and post match shows, so fans never need to pay to follow the Scaloneta.
For the full tournament, DSports on DirecTV holds exclusive rights to all 104 games. TyC Sports carries a 52-match package that includes every Argentina game, and Disney+ Premium streams a Latin America-focused selection through ESPN.
The host nations each have their own home for the World Cup. In the United States, FOX and FS1 show every match in English, with Telemundo and Universo in Spanish. Canada runs coverage on CTV, TSN, and RDS, while Mexico splits its free matches between TelevisaUnivisión and TV Azteca.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 Argentina Matches
Argentine cord cutters can stream the free feeds on Mi Telefe and the TV Pública app. DGO carries all 104 matches and also runs through Flow and Amazon Prime Video, with TyC Sports Play and Disney+ Premium as paid extras. FIFA+ streams free in selected territories.
| Platform | Region | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Telefe | Argentina | Free | Telefe simulcast, Argentine commentary |
| TV Pública app | Argentina | Free | Every Argentina match |
| DGO (DirecTV) | Argentina | Paid | All 104 matches |
| FOX Sports App / FOX One | USA | Paid | English, every match |
| CTV GO / TSN GO | Canada | Free / Paid | All Canada coverage |
| FIFA+ | Select territories | Free | Live in chosen markets |
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 Argentina Matches
Radio Nacional carries every Argentina match free across the country, a public service the government confirmed for 2026. Radio Mitre and other private stations field their own commentary teams for fans who want a different voice.
In the United States, SiriusXM FC and ESPN Radio affiliates cover the games in English, with Univision Radio in Spanish. Canada and Mexico run their own national radio feeds alongside the television broadcasts.
Argentina World Cup History & Record
Only Brazil has played more World Cups. Argentina reach 2026 for their 19th tournament with a record of 47 wins, 17 draws, and 24 losses across 88 matches, scoring 152 goals and conceding 101. Three titles and three runner-up finishes mark a nation that keeps reaching the top.
Titles and Finals
Argentina won their first World Cup at home in 1978, with Mario Kempes scoring twice in the final against the Netherlands. Eight years later, in Mexico 1986, Diego Maradona produced one of the greatest tournament runs ever seen.
He scored the Hand of God goal and the Goal of the Century against England in the same quarter-final, then lifted the trophy after a 3-2 win over West Germany. The wait for a third star then stretched 36 years.
In Qatar 2022, Messi finally got his crown, scoring in the final against France and converting the decisive penalty in a 4-2 shootout after a 3-3 draw. No player has won more individual awards at a single World Cup than Messi did that year.
Argentina also lost three finals: 1930 (4-2 to hosts Uruguay), 1990 (1-0 to West Germany), and 2014 (1-0 to Germany after extra time in Rio).
Tournament Results
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Runners-up |
| 1934 | Italy | Round of 16 |
| 1958 | Sweden | Group stage |
| 1962 | Chile | Group stage |
| 1966 | England | Quarter-finals |
| 1974 | West Germany | Quarter-finals |
| 1978 | Argentina | Champions |
| 1982 | Spain | Second group stage |
| 1986 | Mexico | Champions |
| 1990 | Italy | Runners-up |
| 1994 | USA | Round of 16 |
| 1998 | France | Quarter-finals |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group stage |
| 2006 | Germany | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | South Africa | Quarter-finals |
| 2014 | Brazil | Runners-up |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 |
| 2022 | Qatar | Champions |
Overall Stats
| Appearances | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (19th in 2026) | 88 | 47 | 17 | 24 | 152 | 101 |
Key Records
Messi is Argentina’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup, and Maradona’s 1986 run remains the benchmark for individual brilliance. Argentina have qualified for every edition since 1974 and missed only four tournaments in their entire history (1938, 1950, 1954, 1970). In CONMEBOL qualifying for 2026, they topped the table with 38 points from 18 matches, winning 12, drawing two, and losing four.
Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Argentina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina are in Group J with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Their group games run from June 16 to June 27, 2026, with two matches in Dallas and the opener in Kansas City.
When is Argentina’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Argentina open against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, at 9:00 PM ET (10:00 PM local time in Argentina). The match is at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri.
How did Argentina qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina topped CONMEBOL qualifying with 38 points from 18 matches, winning 12, drawing two, and losing four. They sealed top spot with a 4-1 win over Brazil on March 25, 2025.
Who is Argentina’s head coach at World Cup 2026?
Lionel Scaloni has managed Argentina since 2018. He guided them to the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup, making him the most successful Argentina coach since Carlos Bilardo.
How many times has Argentina won the World Cup?
Argentina have won the World Cup three times, in 1978 at home, 1986 in Mexico with Maradona, and 2022 in Qatar with Messi. They have also finished runners-up three times, in 1930, 1990, and 2014.
Do I need a visa to travel to the USA for the 2026 World Cup?
Argentine citizens are not in the US Visa Waiver Program and usually need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. Apply early through the US Embassy in Argentina.
Who are Argentina’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) leads the squad in his sixth World Cup. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) starts in goal, Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) lead the attack, and Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) and Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) run the midfield.
World Cup 2026 Argentina rests on one question: can Messi lift the trophy one final time? With a proven manager, a deep squad, and a kind draw, the holders look built for another long run in the United States.
