Argentina's 2026 World Cup Schedule: When and Where Messi's Side Play
Lionel Messi and the defending world champions now know their group stage path at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Scaloni's Argentina have been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan — a favourable draw for a side expected to go deep into the tournament.
Argentina's Group Stage Fixtures:
- June 16 — Argentina vs Algeria | Kansas City Stadium | 9pm ET
- June 22 — Argentina vs Austria | Dallas Stadium, Arlington | 1pm ET
- June 27 — Jordan vs Argentina | Dallas Stadium, Arlington | 10pm ET
Argentina open in Kansas City against Algeria before heading to Dallas for their final two group fixtures. The draw is kind — Algeria, Austria and Jordan are all beatable opponents for the current world champions — but no group stage match is without risk at a World Cup, and Argentina will be acutely aware of the pressure that comes with defending a title.
The bigger storyline running through every Argentina fixture is Messi himself. The 38-year-old has not officially confirmed his participation, but everything points toward him being present — and for a player chasing one final chapter on the game's biggest stage, these three group matches could represent the beginning of a farewell that the entire football world is watching.
Austria are probably the stiffest test in the group — an organised, tactically disciplined European side that will not be intimidated by the occasion. But if Argentina perform to their level, Scaloni's side should advance from Group J comfortably and arrive at the knockout rounds as one of the tournament's most dangerous teams.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
