Argentina
La Albiceleste · CONMEBOL
Argentina at World Cup 2026
Argentina enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as 3-time champions, drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Chile, Japan. Managed by Lionel Scaloni, Argentina is currently ranked #1 in the FIFA World Rankings. Lionel Messi is their all-time leading World Cup scorer with 13 goals.
2026 World Cup Squad
Full Argentina squad managed by Lionel Scaloni.
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Argentina Fixtures — Group C
All Argentina group stage matches. Times in Eastern Time (ET). View full schedule →
Group C Standings
See full Group C standings and fixtures.
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Argentina World Cup History
Tournament Record
- Tournaments: 18
- Titles: 3 (1978, 1986, 2022)
- Runners-up: 3 (1930, 1990, 2014)
- Best finish: Champions (1978, 1986, 2022)
All-Time Stats
- Matches: 88
- Wins / Draws / Losses: 47 / 15 / 26
- Win rate: 53.4%
- Goals: 148 scored, 99 conceded
- All-time top scorer: Lionel Messi (13)
Key Players to Watch
Lionel Messi ↗
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentina's all-time leading scorer. Despite being 39, Messi remains the creative heart of the team and captain.
Emiliano Martínez ↗
World Cup 2022 Golden Glove winner and hero of the penalty shootouts. One of the world's best goalkeepers.
Julián Álvarez ↗
Young star striker who scored 4 goals in the 2022 World Cup. Expected to carry more goal-scoring responsibility alongside Messi.
Tactical Analysis
Style of Play
Formation: 4-3-3 / 4-4-2
Possession-based with quick transitions. Argentina builds from the back through their midfield trio and creates chances through Messi's playmaking and forward runs from midfielders.
Strengths
- World-class goalkeeper and defensive organization
- Exceptional midfield creativity and work rate
- Messi's genius and team chemistry
- Experience winning under pressure
Weaknesses
- Aging key players (Messi 39, Di María 38, Otamendi 38)
- Defensive depth concerns if starters are injured
- Over-reliance on Messi in crucial moments
2026 World Cup Chances
As defending champions with most of their 2022 squad intact, Argentina enters as one of the favorites. The key question is whether 39-year-old Messi can maintain his elite level. If he does, combined with strong support from Álvarez, Fernández, and Mac Allister, Argentina has every chance to defend their title. Group C will be challenging with Brazil, but Argentina's experience in knockout tournaments gives them an edge.