How can Argentina qualify for the 2026 World Cup? Fixtures, results and CONMEBOL table
- Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to third World Cup triumph in 2022
- La Albiceleste are currently the number one ranked side in the world
- World champions sit atop the qualifying table through 11 games
The conclusion to 2022 was nothing short of magical for Argentinians.
La Albiceleste went into the Qatari World Cup with high expectations and a 36-game unbeaten run, but for a while it looked as if Lionel Messi wouldn't enjoy his fairytale finale. However, after leading Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, Messi carried his nation into the sunset as they prevailed in the Gulf following a majestic final with France.
The atmosphere back home has been fervent since, with Lionel Scaloni's side continuing from where they left off in Qatar. Their triumph at the 2024 Copa America means Scaloni's Argentina are simply one of the most dominant international outfits we've ever seen.
With their third-straight major tournament success banked, Argentina's sole focus is qualifying for the North American World Cup in style.
Here's everything you need to know about Argentina's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying format
It's a long, drawn-out qualifying process for CONMEBOL nations either side of the 2024 Copa America. Qualifying starts in September 2023 and ends two years later in September 2025 with games being played during every international break.
Ten CONMEBOL teams make up the qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, with all nations playing each other twice in a round-robin format. The top six teams in the table at the end of qualifying will progress into the World Cup, while seventh place will enter into an inter-confederation play-off containing teams from the AFC, CAF, OFC and CONCACAF.
Argentina 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures & results
Argentina's qualifying campaign started in September 2023 and they will play 18 times over a two-year period with the process concluding in September 2025.
There's still a long way to go in qualifying, but Scaloni's side are top of the table through 11 games despite their recent indifference.
There'd been just one blemish on Argentina's record before September 2024 as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Marcelo Bielsa's resurgent Uruguay in November 2023. Those two nations met in the 2024 Copa America final, with Lautaro Martinez's strike in extra time proving the difference. A second defeat of qualifying was inflicted upon them by a buoyant Colombia on Matchday 8 and a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay means Scaloni's side have won just one of their previous four qualifiers.
Argentina have already shut out Ecuador and Brazil in hard-fought triumphs. Their 1-0 win over eternal rivals Brazil was significant as it arrived just days after Bielsa did a number over Scaloni's world champions.
Argentina will aim to leave themselves in an incredibly strong position perhaps at the summit of the qualifying table by the time they face Uruguay and Brazil in the reverse fixtures next March, but you'd back the world champions against any side if Messi produces the sort of form he displayed against Bolivia in October 2024 as he netted a hat-trick in a 6-0 win.
Date | Fixture/Result |
|---|---|
08/09/23 | Argentina 1-0 Ecuador |
12/09/23 | Bolivia 0-3 Argentina |
12/10/23 | Argentina 1-0 Paraguay |
17/10/23 | Peru 0-2 Argentina |
17/11/23 | Argentina 0-2 Uruguay |
22/11/23 | Brazil 0-1 Argentina |
06/09/24 | Argentina 3-0 Chile |
10/09/24 | Colombia 2-1 Argentina |
11/10/24 | Venezuela 1-1 Argentina |
16/10/24 | Argentina 6-0 Bolivia |
14/11/24 | Paraguay 2-1 Argentina |
19/11/24 | Argentina vs Peru |
20/03/25 | Uruguay vs Argentina |
25/03/25 | Argentina vs Brazil |
04/06/25 | Chile vs Argentina |
09/06/25 | Argentina vs Colombia |
09/09/25 | Argentina vs Venezuela |
14/09/25 | Ecuador vs Argentina |
CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying table
Pos | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | +/- | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Argentina | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | +13 | 20:7 | 22 |
2. | Uruguay | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | +8 | 16:8 | 19 |
3. | Colombia | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | +6 | 15:9 | 19 |
4. | Brazil | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +6 | 16:10 | 17 |
5. | Ecuador* | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | +6 | 10:4 | 16 |
6. | Paraguay | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6:5 | 16 |
7. | Venezuela | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | -2 | 9:11 | 12 |
8. | Bolivia | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | -14 | 11:25 | 12 |
9. | Peru | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -11 | 3:14 | 7 |
10. | Chile | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | -13 | 5:18 | 6 |
*Ecuador docked three points at the start of their qualifying campaign
Argentina 2026 World Cup qualifying top scorers
Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
1. | Lionel Messi | 6 |
2. | Nicolas Otamendi | 3 |
3= | Nicolas Gonzalez | 2 |
3= | Lautaro Martinez | 2 |
3= | Julian Alvarez | 2 |
5= | Enzo Fernandez | 1 |
5= | Nicolas Tagliafico | 1 |
5= | Alexis Mac Allister | 1 |
5= | Paulo Dybala | 1 |
5= | Thiago Almada | 1 |
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup will follow the traditional summer schedule and take place in June and July. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar took place in November and December due to the extreme heat.
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