🇦🇷 Argentina at the World Cup 2026

Road to the final

Argentina won Group J, beat Cape Verde 3–2 after extra time in the Round of 32, came from 2–0 down to beat Egypt 3–2 in the Round of 16, beat Switzerland 3–1 in the quarter-finals, then came from behind to beat England 2–1 in the semi-finals to reach the final.

The knockout branch began with Argentina vs Cape Verde. Latest match recap: Argentina 2–1 England (Semi-final, Match 102).

Up next: the World Cup 2026 final — Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, against Spain, 2–0 winners over France in the first semi-final. See the final fixture page.

Group results and standing

Argentina finished group winner in Group J with 9 points and a +7 goal difference.

Knockout results

Coach & captain

Head coach: Lionel Scaloni. The 2022 World Cup winner as manager, Scaloni has built a culture of collective discipline and attacking fluidity that made Argentina world champions and has sustained their status as one of the tournament's top contenders. Captain: Lionel Messi — leading a squad that carries the knowledge of what it takes to win this tournament, having done it four years ago.

How they qualified

Argentina qualified through CONMEBOL South American qualifying, finishing at the top of the table. The defending champions were one of the most consistent teams throughout qualifying, confirming that the core of the 2022 winning squad remains intact and motivated for a repeat.

Group stage summary

Argentina were the most dominant team in the group stage, finishing Group J winners with a perfect nine points and a +7 goal difference — one of the best records in the tournament. Three wins from three, dominant across all phases of play, and a squad that looks more settled and experienced than any team they will face. The defending champions entered the knockout rounds as one of the two or three most dangerous sides remaining.

Key players

• Julián Álvarez (forward) — clinical finisher whose movement, pressing, and ability to link play make him the focal point of Argentina's attack. His role in the 2022 World Cup win announced him as a generational talent, and he has continued to deliver at the highest level.
• Rodrigo De Paul (midfielder) — the engine of Argentina's midfield, De Paul's intensity and quality on the ball set the tone for how Argentina press and build through the lines. A player the opposition needs to stop.
• Lionel Messi (forward) — the captain and defending champion, still the man Argentina turn to in the biggest moments: he scored and created against Cape Verde in the Round of 32, extending his World Cup scoring record.

Projected XI

Argentina's system is flexible enough to accommodate multiple tactical approaches — Scaloni has shown he can adapt to any opponent while maintaining the team's aggressive attacking identity, with De Paul setting the tempo in midfield and Álvarez and Messi leading the attack.

World Cup history

Argentina have won the World Cup three times: in 1978 on home soil, in 1986 under Diego Maradona in Mexico, and most recently in 2022 in Qatar — where they defeated France on penalties in what many consider the greatest final in the tournament's history. They arrive in 2026 as defending champions, with the experience and squad quality to mount a credible defence of the title.

Bracket path

Argentina opened their knockout route by beating Cape Verde 3–2 after extra time at Miami Stadium, then came from 2–0 down to see off Egypt 3–2, beat Switzerland 3–1 in the quarter-finals, and beat England 2–1 in the semi-finals. Next is the final against Spain on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. The full bracket is visible on the bracket visualiser.