Argentina Head To North America As Reigning World Champions
Argentina | Head coach: Lionel Scaloni | Captain: Lionel Messi
With the greatest football show on earth firmly on the horizon, BetVictor News brings you the Argentina World Cup preview, prediction, latest odds, tournament record, star players, best betting angles and more.
- Argentina World Cup prediction: La Albiceleste fall short in the quarters
- Bet on the 2026 World Cup with BetVictor
Argentina World Cup Preview
Having confirmed their 26-man squad on May 28, Argentina will be gunning for more glory in North America this summer. Although there was a slight injury doubt surrounding Lionel Messi, La Albiceleste’s record appearance holder and goalscorer will be present.
Messi is the fourth favourite in the World Cup Top Scorer market and naturally, he will be absolutely imperative to the South American’s chances. Messi was the standout star four years ago as he won his maiden World Cup title and head coach Lionel Scaloni will be heavily reliant on the global superstar once more.
Argentina World Cup Record
Argentina will be participating in their 19th World Cup this summer and they are one of the tournament’s most successful nations. After their thrilling finale win over France in 2022, La Albiceleste have three World Cups to their name. They have also finished as runner-up on three occasions.
Argentina World Cup record summary:
- Total World Cups played: 19 (including 2026)
- Titles: 1978, 1986, 2022
- Runners‑up: 1930, 1990, 2014
- Did not participate: 1938, 1950, 1954
- Did not qualify: 1970
Argentina World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Emi Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid)
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Nico González (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel López (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
Argentina Star Players
- Lionel Messi
- Emi Martinez
- Lautaro Martinez
- Enzo Hernandez
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Rodrigo De Paul
One to watch:
- Nico Paz
Argentina World Cup Fixtures
When it comes to World Cup betting, Argentina are expected to breeze through to the knockout stages. Lionel Scaloni’s side have been pitted against Algeria, Austria and Jordan. In qualifying, La Albiceleste finished top of the CONMEBOL standings having won 12 of their 18 games, acquiring 38 points in the process.
- Argentina vs Algeria on June 17 at the Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Argentina vs Austria on June 22 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Jordan vs Argentina on June 28 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Argentina World Cup Odds
The World Cup winners odds on BetVictor list Argentina as the fourth favourites at 8/1. Therefore, their chances of success are reasonably high but no side since 1962 (Brazil) has managed to retain the World Cup.
- World Cup winner odds: 8/1
- World Cup runners-up odds: 4/1
- World Cup semi-finalists odds : 7/4
- World Cup quarter-finalists odds: 4/5
Our Argentina Team Markets allow customers to bet on La Albiceleste’s tournament top scorer and stage of elimination.
Argentina World Cup Prediction
With Lionel Messi set to play in his sixth World Cup, Argentina will firmly believe they can go back-to-back. However, we feel that theirs and Messi’s journey will come to an end in the quarter-final stage. Mainly owing to Spain being a likely opponent (in theory).
The Spanish are one of the World Cup betting favourites and if the two were to collide, the Europeans have enough about them to advance.
Argentina World Cup prediction: Quarter-final (4/1)
If you intend to bet on the 2026 World Cup, then please take the time to read through BetVictor’s safe and responsible gambling page which will provide good advice on how to stay in control when betting on football.
Any betting decisions should be made responsibly and there are no guarantees when it comes to match outcomes. Odds correct as of 2pm, May 29, 2026 and are subject to change.
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