Argentina World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know

After years of chasing international glory, Lionel Messi and Argentina slayed their demons en route to a World Cup title in 2022.

Four years on, La Albiceleste appear poised to compete once more for football's greatest achievement.

At 37, Messi is far from the force he once was. And yet, he remained CONMEBOL's most dangerous player during qualifying, finding the target on a field-high eight occasions. He already figured to have a spotlight following him in what is likely his last major international tournament. Given his success with MLS' Inter Miami, expectations are high, 

That's no problem for the "La Pulga", though. The "Little Magician" tends to perform best when the lights are at their brightest. Case in point? That famous tournament in Qatar, a spectacle that saw him score seven goals — including two in the final — to secure his second-ever Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

So, can Messi and Argentina go back-to-back? Only time will tell. If they do, they'll join Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) as the only countries to accomplish such a feat.

With that, here's a look at Argentina's path at the 2026 World Cup, from potential opponents and tactics to a breakdown of the side's prospective roster and World Cup history.

MORE: A full overview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule, bracket, and group layouts

Argentina World Cup draw 

Argentina's group will be determined by Friday's World Cup draw. Argentina is one of 12 teams included in Pot 1 of the draw.

Group match schedule

MORE: Which teams are in the World Cup Draw?

Argentina all-time World Cup groups

Argentina has appeared at 19 World Cups, the third-best mark in football history. La Albiceleste haven't missed the tournament since 1970.

Argentina World Cup snapshot 

Argentina enters the World Cup draw ranked atop FIFA's world rankings. That makes it a Pot 1 team for the tournament, joining the three host countries and the nine other highest-ranked qualified teams.

La Albiceleste has captured the World Cup three times. Mario Kempes anchored Argentina's 1978 win in front of its home fans, while the nation's 1986 and 2022 titles were shaped by a pair of diminutive playmakers: Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

The Argentines have been runners-up on three occasions, finishing second in 1930, 1990 and 2014. In addition to their World Cup triumph in 2022, Argentina also picked up a Copa America crown in 2025, meaning it has won each of its last two major international tournaments.

• Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 1 (December 2025)
• World Cup titles: 3
• World Cup appearances (last): 19 (Qatar 2022)
• How France qualified, W-L-D: CONMEBOL group winners, 12-2-4
• World Cup record:
  • Games:  88 GP (47 W, 17 D, 24 L)
  • Goal differential: +51 (152 GS, 101 GA)

MORE: How does the 2026 World Cup draw work?

Argentina World Cup 2026 preview

As one of world football's greatest factories, Argentina fancies itself World Cup contenders anytime the tournament looms. 2026 will be no exception for La Albiceleste, which will feature a mix of gifted youngsters and wily veterans.

Lionel Scaloni's side will be headlined by its leading man — Messi, who is likely taking part in the final World Cup of his glistening career. While he has since moved on to MLS since Argentina's World Cup conquest, he remains as effective as ever, leading all of CONMEBOL with eight goals in qualifying.

There's more to meet the eye in Argentina's roster, however. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are prolific gunsmiths enter the 2026 tournament in their primes after making waves in 2022. The midfield features a collection of technically-gifted footballers, spearheaded by Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. Franco Mastantuono  and Nico Paz have earned rave reviews at Real Madrid and Como, respectively, with the former in position to potentially use the competition as a launching pad for big-money move next year.

Argentina's defense hasn't always been its strong suit during the Messi era. But the four-man unit appears a bit steadier now, with Cristian Romero anchoring the rearguard. Age is not on Argentina's side in the back, so the pressure will be on the likes of Nahuel Molina  and Gonzalo Montiel  to nail down their positions on the flank.

In goal stands Emiliano Martinez.  A Yashin Trophy winner as football's best goalkeeper in 2023 and 2024, Martinez is widely regarded as one of the world's finest shot-stoppers. Expect fireworks from him while in goal — be that through his saves of his celebrations.

• Star Players: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez
• Players to Watch: Franco Mastantuono, Nico Paz, Thiago Almada

Who is Argentina head coach?

Argentina is helmed by Lionel Scaloni, the same man who led it to its 2022 World Cup triumph. A member of Argentina's 2006 World Cup squad as a player, the 47-year-old ascended to the post after the 2018 World Cup. He previously served as an assistant on Jorge Sampaoli's staff, watching on as Messi and Co. Fell in the Round of 16 to France.

He has three major tournament gems in his belt, sandwiching Argentina's 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles with that glistening World Cup trophy from 2022.

Interestingly, Scaloni had no prior managerial experience before taking on the head-coaching role with Argentina.

• Manager (Nationality): Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
• Date hired: Nov. 29, 2012 (after spell as interim boss)
• Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 69-19-10
• Major titles since hire: Copa America (2021, 2025); World Cup (2022)
• Notable victories: 
  • 3-3 (4-2 on penalties) vs. France, World Cup Final 2022
  • 1-0 vs. Brazil, Copa America Final 2021
  • 1-0 vs. Colombia, Copa America Final 2024
  • 2-2 (4-3 on penalties) vs. Netherlands, World Cup quarterfinals 2022
  • 3-0 vs. Croatia, World Cup semifinals 2022

Argentina roster at the World Cup 2026

As long as Messi is healthy, he'll be called upon to lead Argentina's attack. The 38-year-old is likely to operate in a free role, drifting between the gaps to link the ball between the midfield and attack. Given his penchant for left-footed strikes and passes, Messi will likely start on the right side of the field. He doesn't have the speed to beat fullbacks to the byline — at least not like he used to do. But his close control and range of passing should allow him to link up with the likes of Fernandez and Mac Allister in the middle of the park.

Equal parts a play-maker and scorer, Messi was CONMEBOL's leading bagsman during qualifying, collecting eight goals while largely serving as Argentina's right winger. Alvarez (four goals) and Martinez (four goals) left their mark on the scoresheet, as did Thiago Almada and Nicolas Otamendi (three goals apiece).

Argentina predicted starting XI (formation: 4-3-3)

Martinez (GK)

Montiel, Romero, Lis. Martinez, Tagliafico

Fernandez, Mac Allister, 

Messi, Lau. Martinez, Alvarez

Strengths: 

• Attacking depth:  Argentina has plenty of attacking threat within its ranks, with Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez figuring to be one of world football's most talented attacking tridents. Thiago Almada impressed in qualifying, while 18-year-old Franco Mastantuoto is already making an impact at Real Madrid.
• Goalkeeper: Martinez's advanced numbers indicate he is one of the sport's best goalkeepers. He has been vital to Aston Villa's return to the European, posting a positive Post-Shot xG-Goals Allowed figure in each of his last four seasons. A big-game player with gobs of bravado, Martinez is a steady present in net.
• Experience:  Argentina brings back an impressive number of players it recruited to lead its World Cup triumph. That unit won two penalty shootouts and overcame a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match to lift gold. Nothing should surprise them come 2026.

Weaknesses: 

• Overreliance on Messi:  Messi's attacking exploits are worth his defensive deficiencies. Still, Alvarez and Martinez are among the best forwards in world football. They aren't just the future of Argentina's roster. They're the present. They need to be central to Argentina's attacking prowess, as defenses will move heaven and earth to blot Messi's influence on the game.

Argentina roster for 2026 World Cup

Below is Argentina's projected 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. This will be updated when the squad is officially announced closer to the start of the tournament.

*Caps as of Nov. 16, 2025.

Argentina World Cup qualifying results

Argentina finished CONMEBOL qualifying on top of the table, winning 12 of its 18 contests. Messi was the tournament's top scorer, with eight goals. La Albiceleste sealed its qualification in March, three months before second-place side Ecuador. 

Argentina World Cup history

Argentina has won the World Cup three times: first in 1978, then again in 1986 and most recently in 2022.

• World Cups appearances:  19
• Best finish:  Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
• All-time goals scored: 152
• All-time goals conceded:  101
• All-time record (W-L-D): 47-14-24

*Host