Argentina, defending champions, face Austria, who returned to the World Cup after a 28-year absence under Ralf Rangnick. Lionel Messi plays his record sixth World Cup; David Alaba finally gets his first major tournament at 33. AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosts.
Why: Argentina retained 17 of the 26-man 2022 winning squad. Messi captains, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez lead the line, Romero anchors defence, Enzo Fernandez and Mac Allister provide midfield class. Austria are well-organised under Rangnick but the talent gap is real. Implied 64%; reality closer to 72%.
Lautaro scored 22 Serie A goals at Inter Milan in 2025-26. He is Argentina's primary striker with Messi behind him. Against Austria's back four his movement in the box will produce shots. Anytime price 1.85.
Laimer averages a yellow every 4 matches at Bayern pace. Tasked with breaking up Argentina's transitions through De Paul and Mac Allister, the foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.30.
The match is at AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Soccer capacity 92,967, the largest of any World Cup venue.
AT&T hosts nine matches at the 2026 World Cup including group stage, a Round of 16 and a semi-final.
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after Messi's iconic final performance and have lifted the trophy three times (1978, 1986, 2022).
Lionel Scaloni, 48, has managed Argentina since 2018. His tactical setup is fluid 4-3-3 with Messi as a free roaming attacker behind two strikers.
Something cool: Argentina aim to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to defend the World Cup title. Scaloni retained 17 of the 26-man 2022 winning squad plus added fresh legs in Nico Paz, Valentin Barco and Giuliano Simeone.
Austria have qualified for eight World Cups, with their last appearance in 1998. The 28-year gap ends in 2026.
Ralf Rangnick, the German tactical innovator (Leipzig, Manchester United interim), took over in 2022 and rebuilt around David Alaba (Real Madrid) and Marko Arnautovic.
Something cool: Austria topped UEFA Group H qualifying with 19 points from 8 matches, two clear of Bosnia. They beat Sweden 4-1 in November 2024 and drew with England in a Euro 2024 warm-up. Top scorer in qualifying: Arnautovic with 6 at age 36.
Messi has been Argentina captain since 2011. 8-time Ballon d'Or winner, 2022 World Cup champion, Copa America 2021 and 2024 champion.
Club career: Barcelona to PSG to Inter Miami in MLS since 2023. He turned 38 during the 2026 World Cup and the tournament is his record sixth, equal with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
Captaining at his sixth and confirmed final World Cup.
Alaba has been Austria captain since 2018. Club career: Austria Wien to Bayern Munich to Real Madrid since 2021. Multiple Bundesliga and La Liga titles, multiple Champions League winners medals.
His role for Austria is centre-back or left-back (Rangnick uses him in both depending on opposition). The 2024 Euros saw him ruled out by an ACL injury; the 2026 World Cup is his first major tournament at 33.
Captaining at his first World Cup, leading Austria's first global tournament appearance in 28 years.
Argentina beat Algeria 2-1 on matchday 1 with goals from Lautaro and Messi penalty.
Austria drew matchday 1 with Jordan 0-0 in a tactically disciplined match.
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun | Argentina vs Algeria | Kansas City | Preview → |
| 17 Jun | Austria vs Jordan | Santa Clara | Preview → |
| 22 Jun | Argentina vs Austria | Arlington | This page |
| 22 Jun | Jordan vs Algeria | Santa Clara | Preview → |
| 27 Jun | Algeria vs Austria | Kansas City | Preview → |
| 27 Jun | Jordan vs Argentina | Arlington | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group J overview →
Scaloni's Argentina 4-3-3 with De Paul deep, Paredes and Mac Allister in midfield, Lautaro-Messi-Alvarez in attack.
Rangnick's Austria 4-2-3-1 with Laimer and Grillitsch double pivot, Sabitzer as the playmaking ten, Arnautovic up top.
Argentina clinch top spot with a win. Austria need a positive result here to keep first-place hopes alive.
Monday 22 June 2026 at 13:00 ET (19:00 CEST). AT&T Stadium, Arlington.
Forward Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), captain since 2011. 8-time Ballon d'Or, 2022 World Cup champion.
Defender/midfielder David Alaba (Real Madrid), captain since 2018. Multiple Champions League titles.
Yes. Messi has confirmed 2026 is his record sixth and final World Cup. He equals Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric as the only male players ever to play in six.
No. Argentina aim to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to defend the title.
BetBot auto-posts daily tips, the anytime goalscorer pick and live in-play alerts for every World Cup match. Free, 30-second setup.
Add BetBot to Discord