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Argentina
CONMEBOL · J1 · Pot 1
Holders & favouritesGroup J fixtures
Key players to watch
Lionel Messi
FW · Inter Miami · C
Captain at a record sixth World Cup, almost certainly his last; still the orchestrator, chasing more history after the 2022 triumph.
Captain · icon
Lautaro Martínez
FW · Inter Milan
The most reliable striker, with over 30 international goals; a clinical No.9 who carries the load when Messi drops deep.
Lead striker
Julián Álvarez
FW · Atlético Madrid
A 2022 hero (four goals in the win) in top club form; can play through the middle or off Messi.
Forward · big-game
Emiliano Martínez
GK · Aston Villa
The 2022 Golden Glove keeper and a penalty-shootout specialist; a huge asset in knockout football.
Elite keeper
Enzo Fernández
MF · Chelsea
The 2022 Best Young Player; passing range and drive at the heart of midfield.
Midfield engine
Rodrigo De Paul
MF · Inter Miami
Tireless, combative midfielder and Messi's on-pitch lieutenant; central to the team's balance.
Midfield workhorse
Goals & output
Messi orchestrates, Lautaro and Julián Álvarez finish, and the supply from Enzo Fernández, De Paul and Mac Allister is elite. A balanced, battle-tested attack with goals throughout the squad.
Set-piece duties
Penalties
Lionel Messi
Free kicks
Lionel Messi
Corners
De Paul / Messi
Messi takes penalties and the dangerous free kicks, with corners shared. Even at 38, his dead-ball delivery is among the best in the tournament — and Emiliano Martínez makes Argentina formidable in any shootout.
Discipline read
▲Streetwise and experienced; they manage games cleverly and will use tactical fouls, so cards can come in bursts.
Recent form
Reigning world champions, chasing back-to-back titles — something no nation has done since Brazil in 1962. They topped CONMEBOL qualifying with games to spare, won the 2021 and 2024 Copa Américas, and retained 17 of the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar. The story is Messi's record sixth and surely final World Cup.
Head-to-head history
v Algeria (17 Jun)
Negligible history
Little meaningful record; a comfortable opener expected for the holders in Kansas City.
v Austria (22 Jun)
Negligible history
No meaningful recent record; a tougher test against a well-organised European side in Dallas.
v Jordan (28 Jun)
No prior meetings
A first-ever meeting; Argentina would be heavy favourites in Dallas on the final day.
Underdog & betting read
The verdict
Co-favourites with the depth, spine and tournament know-how to go all the way again, and they should win Group J comfortably. Messi's farewell adds emotional weight. Backing them to top the group is the safe read.