The 2026 World Cup is already starting to take shape. At the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., FIFA, led by Gianni Infantino, held the group stage draw.
After an extensive ceremony, which included musical performances and recognitions, the qualified national teams (not counting the six remaining through European and international play-offs) finally know their first stage opponents for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In this regard, the Argentina National Team was placed in Group J along with Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. Depending on how the fixture turns out, which will be presented tomorrow, La Albiceleste will play in Kansas City, San Francisco, or Dallas.
Meanwhile, due to the way the groups were formed, the national team will have to pay attention to what happens in Group H (Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay) and in Group K (Portugal, Winner of Intercontinental play-off 1 [Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia], Uzbekistan, and Colombia), since their round of 32 opponent will come from there. The possible scenarios are as follows:
- If Argentina finishes first, it will play against the second-place team from Group H
- If Argentina finishes second, it will play against the first-place team from Group H
- If Argentina finishes third, it will play against the first-place team from Group K
These potential matchups promise high-voltage clashes, such as facing Spain, first in the FIFA ranking, current European champion, and recent runner-up in the Nations League, or facing Uruguay, the Río de la Plata classic and a long-time rival of the National Team.
Meanwhile, the opening match of the tournament will be between Mexico and South Africa, the same as in the 2010 World Cup, on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca.
All the groups for the 2026 World Cup
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- European play-off D (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, or Ireland)
Group B
