Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
La Albiceleste compete in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Manager Lionel Scaloni, captain Lionel Messi. CONMEBOL qualifier (defending champions).
Argentina's outlook at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ranked inside the FIFA top 10, Argentina arrives in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as one of the genuine title contenders. Bookmakers and pundits have them in the conversation alongside the rest of the elite.
Argentina is the highest-ranked side in Group D (avg. opponent rank #41). They are expected to top the group, but Morocco and Iran are realistic challengers.
The 2026 tournament uses an expanded 48-team, 12-group format with a new Round of 32. That changes the maths for Argentina: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance, so even a third-place finish in Group D is often enough to reach the knockouts. The first Argentina match of the World Cup is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 against Morocco at Arrowhead Stadium.
Group D draw analysis
FIFA Ranking, confederation, and last-appearance finish for every team Argentina face in Group D.
| Team | FIFA Rank | Confederation |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina (this page) | #1 | CONMEBOL |
| Morocco | #14 | CAF |
| Iran | #20 | AFC |
| New Zealand | #89 | OFC |
Argentina 2026 World Cup fixtures
Players to watch
Get every player's stats - goals, assists, cards, minutes, xG - via the player stats endpoint for competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}.
Argentina World Cup history
Argentina are a former World Champion ((1978, 1986, 2022)). With 19 previous FIFA World Cup appearances, they remain one of the most experienced sides in the tournament. Recent form across the last five editions: Champions, QF, R16, Runner-up, R16.
Get Argentina data via API
// Fetch Argentina World Cup 2026 matches
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.thestatsapi.com/api/football/matches?competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}&team=argentina',
{ headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' } }
);
const { data } = await response.json();Frequently Asked Questions
What group is Argentina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina is in Group D alongside Morocco, Iran, New Zealand. The average opponent FIFA ranking in Group D is #41.
Who is Argentina's manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Scaloni manages Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Messi as captain.
What is Argentina's best World Cup finish?
Argentina's best FIFA World Cup finish is Champions (1978, 1986, 2022). They have appeared in 19 previous World Cup tournaments. Recent form: Champions, QF, R16, Runner-up, R16.
Who are Argentina's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Lionel Messi leads a squad whose standout names include Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez. The full 26-player squad is named approximately one week before the opening match.
How did Argentina qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
CONMEBOL qualifier (defending champions). They came through the CONMEBOL qualifying pathway.
What is Argentina's current FIFA Ranking?
Argentina are ranked #1 in the world by FIFA at the time of the 2026 World Cup draw. Ranked inside the FIFA top 10, Argentina arrives in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as one of the genuine title contenders. Bookmakers and pundits have them in the conversation alongside the rest of the elite.
What are Argentina's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina is the highest-ranked side in Group D (avg. opponent rank #41). They are expected to top the group, but Morocco and Iran are realistic challengers. Ranked inside the FIFA top 10, Argentina arrives in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as one of the genuine title contenders. Bookmakers and pundits have them in the conversation alongside the rest of the elite.
How can I get Argentina fixtures and stats via API?
Use TheStatsAPI matches endpoint with competition_id={COMPETITION_ID} and filter by team_id to get all Argentina World Cup 2026 fixtures, lineups, live scores, in-play events, xG, and player-level stats. The same endpoint also returns historical World Cup data for Argentina going back to their first tournament.
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