World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Argentina and Austria share Group J at the 2026 World Cup and meet in the group stage. Both sides are fighting to reach the knockouts. On the FIFA ranking, Argentina are the favourite — a 24-place gap.
Argentina - Austria will be played on Thursday 25th June 2026 at 15:00 ET in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. ⏳ Date subject to confirmation.
| Argentina 🇦🇷 | Metric | 🇦🇹 Austria |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | FIFA Ranking | #25 |
| Group J | Group | Group J |
| CONMEBOL | Confederation | UEFA |
| Lionel Scaloni | Head coach | Ralf Rangnick |
| 19 | WC appearances | 8 |
| World champion (1978, 1986, 2022) | Best WC | Third place (1954) |
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.
Under Rangnick, Austria play modern, intense football with high pressing. Sabitzer, Alaba (if fit), Baumgartner and Arnautović form the core. First World Cup since 1998. In Group J they can fight Algeria for second place.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this group-stage match.
Start predicting →Yes — Argentina and Austria meet in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup (Group J).
On the FIFA world ranking, Argentina (#1) are favoured over Austria (#25). The gap is 24 ranking places.
Argentina: World champion (1978, 1986, 2022) (19 World Cup appearances). Austria: Third place (1954) (8 World Cup appearances).
Argentina are coached by Lionel Scaloni. Austria are coached by Ralf Rangnick.
Argentina play in Group J. Austria play in Group J.
Last updated: 2026-06-07