With Lionel Messi having led his nation to a triumphant FIFA World Cup title in 2022, the first of his illustrious career, Argentina will be looking to run it back four years later.
In what is believed to be Messi’s final World Cup tournament, the Albiceleste are hoping to send their all-time great off into the sunset with a defense of their title.
No nation has successfully defended the World Cup with back-to-back championships since Brazil did so in 1962, having won four years prior.
The Sporting News explains Argentina’s route to the 2026 edition of football’s greatest competition, with a look back at the country’s performance across World Cup history.
MORE: What teams have officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Have Argentina qualified for World Cup 2026?
Argentina were one of the first teams to officially secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
CONMEBOL was one of the first confederations to wrap up its qualification process, with the final matches taking place on September 9, 2025. Yet the defending champions had long since confirmed their spot at the 2026 tournament, as they had sealed qualification with a 4-1 victory over Brazil way back on March 25.
At the end of the tournament, Argentina sat top of the standings, winning the 18-game round robin by a considerable margin. They won 12 of their matches, drawing two and losing four. Their 38 points put them nine clear of second-placed Ecuador.
MORE: All you need to know about how UEFA’s World Cup qualifying section works
Argentina World Cup qualifying results, fixtures
With CONMEBOL qualifying finishing up back in September, there are no more competitive games for Argentina before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina World Cup 2026 qualifying results
| Date | Match | Venue |
| Sep. 7, 2023 | Argentina 1-0 Ecuador | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Sep. 12, 2023 | Bolivia 0-3 Argentina | Estadio Hernando Siles (La Paz, Bolivia) |
| Oct. 12, 2023 | Argentina 1-0 Paraguay | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Oct. 17, 2023 | Peru 0-2 Argentina | Estadio Nacional (Lima, Peru) |
| Nov. 16, 2023 | Argentina 0-2 Uruguay | La Bombonera (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Nov. 21, 2023 | Brazil 0-1 Argentina | Estadio do Maracana (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) |
| Sep. 5, 2024 | Argentina 3-0 Chile | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Sep. 10, 2024 | Colombia 2-1 Argentina | Estadio Metropolitano (Barranquilla, Colombia) |
| Oct. 10, 2024 | Venezuela 1-1 Argentina | Estadio Monumental (Maturin, Venezuela) |
| Oct. 15, 2024 | Argentina 6-0 Bolivia | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Nov. 14, 2024 | Paraguay 2-1 Argentina | Estadio Defensores del Chaco (Asuncion, Paraguay) |
| Nov. 19, 2024 | Argentina 1-0 Peru | La Bombonera (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Mar. 20, 2025 | Uruguay 0-1 Argentina | Estadio Centenario (Montevideo, Uruguay) |
| Mar. 25, 2025 | Argentina 4-1 Brazil | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Jun. 5, 2025 | Chile 0-1 Argentina | Estadio Nacional (Santiago, Chile) |
| Jun. 10, 2025 | Argentina 1-1 Colombia | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Sep. 4, 2025 | Argentina 3-0 Venezuela | Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Sep. 9, 2025 | Ecuador 1-0 Argentina | Estadio Monumental (Guayaquil, Ecuador) |
Argentina World Cup record
Argentina have won the FIFA World Cup three times in their illustrious football history, with only Brazil (five), Italy (four), and Germany (four) winning more. They have also finished as runners-up three other times.
The Albiceleste have only failed to qualify for one FIFA World Cup in their history, coming back in 1970. They did not participate in the competition from 1938 to 1954, as South American countries grew frustrated with the tournament repeatedly being held in Europe, which at that time presented a challenging travel barrier.
Argentina record at the World Cup
| Year | Stage reached | Host nation |
| 1930 | Runners-up | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Round of 16 | Italy |
| 1938 | Withdrew | France |
| 1950 | Withdrew | Brazil |
| 1954 | Withdrew | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Group stage | Sweden |
| 1962 | Group stage | Chile |
| 1966 | Quarterfinals | England |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Mexico |
| 1974 | Quarterfinals | West Germany |
| 1978 | Won title | Argentina |
| 1982 | Second group stage | Spain |
| 1986 | Won title | Mexico |
| 1990 | Runners-up | Italy |
| 1994 | Round of 16 | United States |
| 1998 | Quarterfinals | France |
| 2002 | Group stage | Japan and South Korea |
| 2006 | Quarterfinals | Germany |
| 2010 | Quarterfinals | South Africa |
| 2014 | Runners-up | Brazil |
| 2018 | Round of 16 | Russia |
| 2022 | Won title | Qatar |
MORE: Revisiting the 1930 World Cup — the start of a sporting revolution
Argentina World Cup schedule
Having already qualified, Argentina’s schedule for the 2026 tournament will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the 12 groups are constructed and pathways to the final become clearer.
When is the World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. local time (ET).
