Defending champions Argentina look to secure their place in the knockout rounds when they face Austria in a heavyweight Group J encounter on Monday.
Lionel Scaloni’s side were imperious in their opener, dismantling Algeria 3-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick that drew him level with Miroslav Klose as the joint all-time leading scorer in World Cup history on 16 goals.
Austria, meanwhile, comfortably beat tournament debutants Jordan 3-1, and arrive in Arlington with three points and genuine confidence. A win for either side will virtually guarantee passage to the round of 32.
Argentina vs Austria – Match preview and team news
- Date: Monday, 22 June 2026
- Kick-off: 18:00 BST
- Venue: Miami Stadium
- Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
- Last Meeting: Austria 1–1 Argentina (1990)
Team news
Argentina
Scaloni’s selection is expected to revolve around platforming Messi within a balanced structure. A midfield four of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Thiago Almada will provide both the creative and defensive framework behind him.
Gonzalo Montiel remains a doubt with a hamstring injury, with Nahuel Molina set to continue at right-back in his absence. Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez continue their central defensive partnership, with Facundo Medina at left-back. Emiliano Martinez starts in goal.
Austria
Ralf Rangnick faces one notable selection concern. Right-back Stefan Posch is sidelined with a broken jaw, with the versatile Konrad Laimer the likeliest candidate to fill that berth. Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager are set to anchor the midfield, with Carney Chukwuemeka retaining his creative role in the final third. Marcel Sabitzer and Romano Schmid provide width and energy in support. Sasa Kalajdzic is expected to lead the line despite being substituted during the Jordan match.
Form
Argentina
La Albiceleste arrive in the finest possible form, having won their last eight international matches. Their 3-0 dismantling of Algeria was a statement of intent — disciplined defensively, clinical in front of goal, and with Messi operating at a level that reminded the world exactly why he remains the game’s finest player. Scaloni’s side kept clean sheets in six of those eight victories and did not concede a single shot on target against Algeria.
Austria
Austria’s win over Jordan was less straightforward than the scoreline suggests. They fell behind before recovering through Romano Schmid, an own goal, and a Marko Arnautovic penalty deep in stoppage time. The performance exposed moments of defensive vulnerability when their high press was bypassed, but Rangnick’s side showed character to see the game out. They have lost just two of their last 18 matches and will not come to Arlington to sit back.
Predicted lineups
Argentina predicted XI: Emi Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Austria predicted XI: Alexander Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, Xaver Schlager; Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer; Kalajdzic
How to watch Argentina vs Austria?
UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
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