The conclusion to 2022 was nothing short of magical for Argentinians.
La Albiceleste went into the Qatari World Cup with high expectations and a 36-game unbeaten run, but for a while it looked as if Lionel Messi wouldn’t enjoy his fairytale finale. However, after leading Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, Messi carried his nation into the sunset as they prevailed in the Gulf following a majestic final with France.
The atmosphere back home has been fervent since, with Lionel Scaloni’s side continuing from where they left off in Qatar.
While next summer’s Copa America will be at the forefront of Scaloni’s thinking, he also has qualifying for the next World Cup to consider, too.
Here’s everything you need to know about Argentina’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
It’s a long, drawn-out qualifying process for CONMEBOL nations either side of the 2024 Copa America. Qualifying starts in September 2023 and ends two years later in September 2025 with games being played during every international break.
Ten CONMEBOL teams make up the qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, with all nations playing each other twice in a round-robin format. The top six teams in the table at the end of qualifying will progress into the World Cup, while seventh place will enter into an inter-confederation play-off containing teams from the AFC, CAF, OFC and CONCACAF.
Argentina have 18 qualifiers over the next two years, with their campaign getting underway in September 2023.
After they were stunned by Saudi Arabia in their group opener at the World Cup, Argentina have rattled off 11-straight wins and are yet to conced a goal post-Qatar. It’s not just Messi who’s inspiring Scaloni’s men, but the likes of Cristian Romero, too. The Tottenham defender was outstanding as Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 to begin their qualifying campaign.
Once again, though, it was Messi who landed the decisive blow as he struck from a set-piece in the second half.
Scaloni’s side are unlikely to blitz their way through qualifying given their physical, stout and efficient style. Many of their games may be decided by a single-goal margin, but Argentina are nonetheless expected to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with ease. There’s not a single team La Albiceleste will fear, although they’ll undoubtedly bookmark their fixtures with Brazil.
The two South American behemoths first meet in November 2023, while the reverse fixture is scheduled much further down the line in March 2025.
|
Date |
Fixture/Result |
|---|---|
|
08/09/23 |
Argentina 1-0 Ecuador |
|
12/09/23 |
Bolivia vs Argentina |
|
12/10/23 |
Argentina vs Paraguay |
|
17/10/23 |
Peru vs Argentina |
|
TBC/11/23 |
Argentina vs Uruguay |
|
TBC/11/23 |
Brazil vs Argentina |
|
TBC/09/24 |
Argentina vs Chile |
|
TBC/09/24 |
Colombia vs Argentina |
|
TBC/10/24 |
Venezuela vs Argentina |
|
TBC/10/24 |
Argentina vs Bolivia |
|
TBC/11/24 |
Paraguay vs Argentina |
|
TBC/11/24 |
Argentina vs Peru |
|
TBC/03/25 |
Uruguay vs Argentina |
|
TBC/03/25 |
Argentina vs Brazil |
|
TBC/06/25 |
Chile vs Argentina |
|
TBC/06/25 |
Argentina vs Colombia |
|
TBC/09/25 |
Argentina vs Venezuela |
|
TBC/09/25 |
Ecuador vs Argentina |
|
Pos |
Team |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Goal difference |
+/- |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Brazil |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5:1 |
3 |
|
2. |
Uruguay |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3:1 |
3 |
|
3. |
Argentina |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1:0 |
3 |
|
4. |
Colombia |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1:0 |
3 |
|
5. |
Paraguay |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0:0 |
1 |
|
6. |
Peru |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0:0 |
1 |
|
7. |
Venezuela |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0:1 |
0 |
|
8. |
Chile |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-2 |
1:3 |
0 |
|
9. |
Bolivia |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-4 |
1:5 |
0 |
|
10. |
Ecuador |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0:1 |
-3 |
|
Rank |
Player |
Goals |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Lionel Messi |
1 |
The 2026 World Cup will follow the traditional summer schedule and take place in June and July. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar took place in November and December due to the extreme heat.
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