Who will Argentina play at World Cup 2026? Dates, kick-off times and full schedule revealed

Argentina will look to defend their status as FIFA World Cup champions when they kick off their 2026 campaign against Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

'La Albiceleste' are in Group J for the tournament held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Lionel Scaloni and company chasing successive triumphs.

Lionel Messi's GOAT performance in Qatar was one for the history books, and he will hope victory against two familiar tournament faces and a debutant will favour them again.

The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup sees history made, with a record 48 nations competing across three host nations in the USA, Canada and Mexico, at 60 venues.

It means for the first time, there will be a Round of 32 introduced at a World Cup. 

Getty Images

Argentina's World Cup 26 Group: Who will Argentina play?

In the expanded World Cup, there are now 12 Groups of four teams.

Each nation plays each other once, with the top two automatically qualifying for the knockout stages. Then the eight best third-place sides from the 12 Groups also go through.

Argentina are top seeds in Group J and will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

Group J

Argentina World Cup 26 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times, venue

France will play their first game against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16 before they face Austria four days later on Monday, June 22.

'La Albiceleste' then conclude their campaign with a clash against Jordan on Saturday, June 27.

Argentina Group J Fixtures

• Tuesday, June 16: Argentina vs Algeria - Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
• Monday, June 22: Argentina vs Austria - AT&T Stadium, Arlington
• Saturday, June 27: Jordan vs Argentina - AT&T Stadium, Arlington

Who could Argentina play in the knockout stages?

The top two in each group qualify for the World Cup knockout stages, with the eight best third-placed also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.

With Argentina in Group J, it means if they top the Group, they will face the runner-up in Group H. If they finish second, they will face the winners of Group H, who could be Spain.

If they finish as one of the best third-place nations, they will face the winners of Group B/D/G/K/L.

If Argentina progress from that first knockout match, they then face a Round of 16 game, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final in order to potentially reach the final on July 19, 2026.

(Getty Images)

When is the FIFA World Cup 26?

The tournament kicks off June 11, 2026, with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Nearly six weeks later, the last of the 104 games - the World Cup 26 Final - will be played at MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City on July 19, 2026.

World Cup 2026 format and schedule

With 48 nations involved at this World Cup, there will be 12 Groups of four teams each.

The top two in each group qualify for the knockout stages, with the eight best third-place teams also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.

World Cup schedule and key dates:

Group stages: June 11-27
Round of 32: June 28-July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarter-finals: July 9-11
Semi-finals: July 14-15
Bronze final: July 19
Final: July 19

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