World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Argentina and Netherlands are in different groups at the 2026 World Cup. A direct meeting can happen from the knockout stage onwards. On the FIFA ranking, Argentina are the favourite — a 6-place gap.
Vier WK-ontmoetingen sinds 1978, telkens met spektakel. Van de finale in '78 tot de kwartfinale in 2022 (penalty's, na Van Gaals 8 vs 7 wissels).
| Argentina 🇦🇷 | Metric | 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | FIFA Ranking | #7 |
| Group J | Group | Group F |
| CONMEBOL | Confederation | UEFA |
| Lionel Scaloni | Head coach | Ronald Koeman |
| 19 | WC appearances | 12 |
| World champion (1978, 1986, 2022) | Best WC | Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010) |
Reigning champions, world number one, with Messi on his farewell tour — it's hard to think of more reasons to label Argentina the top favourite. Behind Messi stands a team that wins without him too: Martínez intimidates keepers, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández control any midfield, Álvarez and Almada find the goals. Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan is a winning formality. The question isn't whether Argentina reach the quarter-finals, but whether Scaloni keeps them fresh until the final. A title defence would place Messi alongside Pelé and above Maradona. A semi-final is the minimum; anything less is failure.
The Netherlands enter the World Cup as a stealth contender — not among the absolute favourites, but dangerous to anyone they meet. Van Dijk is the spine, the gear-shift comes from Xavi Simons and Gakpo, and Frenkie de Jong dictates the midfield when fit. Koeman's biggest headache: who scores the goals if Depay can't last the tournament? In Group F, Japan is a dangerous number two — that team beat both Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup. Historically, the Oranje overperform their FIFA ranking at World Cups; a semi-final is realistic, and a fourth lost final would be painfully fitting.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this dream matchup.
Start predicting →Argentina and Netherlands are not in the same group. A meeting can only happen from the knockout stage (Round of 16 onwards).
On the FIFA world ranking, Argentina (#1) are favoured over Netherlands (#7). The gap is 6 ranking places.
Argentina: World champion (1978, 1986, 2022) (19 World Cup appearances). Netherlands: Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010) (12 World Cup appearances).
Argentina are coached by Lionel Scaloni. Netherlands are coached by Ronald Koeman.
Argentina play in Group J. Netherlands play in Group F.
Last updated: 2026-06-07