La Albiceleste are attempting to do what no country has achieved since 1962 by winning back-to-back World Cups, following their triumph in Qatar in 2022.

And Argentina are on a roll, with their Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024 meaning they have ended their last three tournaments with a trophy in hand.

Which Chelsea players do Argentina have?

Enzo Fernandez has an impressive record at international tournaments. The Blues midfielder made his Argentina debut shortly before playing a key role in their triumph at the 2022 World Cup.

He followed it up by being an equally important part of his country’s midfield at the 2024 Copa America, where they beat Colombia in the final, giving Fernandez a 100 per cent success rate at major international tournaments.

Who else is in Argentina’s squad?

Fernandez joins a number of his team-mates from 2022’s triumph in returning to form an experienced core to the 2026 squad, including legendary captain Lionel Messi, who has been tempted to continue despite previously claiming Qatar would be his last World Cup.

There are also some fresh faces joining the group this time around after breakthrough campaigns in 2025/26, most notably Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco, Palmeiras’ Jose Manuel Lopez and Como’s Nicolas Paz.

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille)

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)

Midfielders: Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)

Forwards: Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)

What teams are in Argentina’s group?

The defending champions face opponents from three different continents in a mixed Group J.

World Cup debutants Jordan are the big unknown, but Argentina will also face an Algeria side which impressed with eight wins from 10 games in qualifying and a strong Austria team which recorded their all-time biggest win – 10-0 against San Marino – en route to topping their own qualifying group.

When are Argentina's fixtures?

Argentina vs Algeria, Kansas City, Wednesday 17 June, 2am

Argentina vs Austria, Dallas, Monday 22 June, 6pm

Jordan vs Argentina, Dallas, Sunday 28 June, 3am

All times are UK

How did Argentina qualify?

Unsurprisingly, given their status as reigning champions, arguably no team qualified for this World Cup in as impressive a fashion as Argentina, sealing their spot at the tournament with five games to spare.

That included a memorable 4-1 home win over old South American rivals Brazil as they cruised to first place in the table, a full nine points clear of second-placed Ecuador.

What is Argentina’s World Cup history?

Argentina grew in confidence and stature during the last World Cup before defeating France on penalties in an epic 2022 final, lifting the trophy for the third time in their history.

The first came in 1978 on home soil, before the legendary Diego Maradona inspired them to a second triumph in Mexico eight years later in 1986.