What is Argentina’s route to the World Cup final? Discover who their potential opponents are whether they top their group or finish as runners-up instead!
As the reigning champions, Argentina are very much one of the favourites to be this year’s World Cup winner. But, as we are nearing the tournament, what could Argentina’s route to the World Cup final be?
Their goal will no doubt be to win back-to-back World Cups and become only the second-ever team to complete the accomplishment after Italy in 1934 and 1938. Here we will examine Argentina’s possible World Cup route and the dates they’re expected to play each round – with different paths covered for if they qualify top of their group or as runners-up.
Who do Argentina play in the group phase?
Especially considering that Argentina are the current World Cup holders, their group should be relatively easy to navigate. Initially, they’re up against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, and are unsurprising favourites to end up on top of the group.
Austria are predicted to pose the biggest threat to Argentina, but as they sit 24th in the FIFA rankings and are 22 places behind the Albiceleste, they should still be beaten by the South American outfit.
Argentina’s route to the final should they win their group
How about if Argentina progress past the group stage? If they topped Group J, who could their next opponents become on the way to the World Cup final?
Round of 32
July 3rd vs Group H runners-up
Should Argentina manage to deal with their opposition in Group J and top the table over Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, they’ll be facing off against second place in Group H. This means that they’ll play one of Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, or Uruguay in the round of 32.
The latest odds state that Argentina’s most likely round of 32 opponent is Uruguay, as they’re predicted to be runners-up to Spain in Group H.
Round of 16
July 7th vs Egypt
If Argentina can then get past their round of 32 challenge, the round of 16 is then likely to have them playing against Egypt. This is because the runners-up for groups D and G will face off in the round of 32, with Egypt predicted to progress to this stage.
Though, if Egypt fail to get this far, we could see Argentina play Türkiye instead.
Quarter final
July 11th vs Portugal
Now into the end of the tournament where things get serious, we could very well see Messi vs Ronaldo one last time!
Portugal are set to play the winners of group B and are favourites to progress into the quarter-finals.
However, should Portugal fail to get past the round of 16, Argentina could instead play Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Semi-final
July 15th vs England
As we reach the semi-finals, it looks as if Argentina could expect to see their old adversaries England. Historically, Argentina have come out on top in this matchup, with iconic moments such as the ‘Hand of God’, and Maradona’s ‘Goal of the Century’. If the Albiceleste meet with the Three Lions again, they can only hope to continue this trend of success heading their way.
If England fail to reach this stage, Argentina could play against five-time World Cup winners Brazil in what would be an enthralling South American derby.
World Cup final
July 19th vs Spain
Now for the final. Argentina have repeated the feat they achieved in 2022 and gone all the way, battling their way through each stage from the groups to the knockouts. Who are they most likely to play you might ask?
For Argentina to become only the second ever team to win back-to-back World Cups, they’re most likely going to have to play the Euro 2024 winners Spain. For Argentina to win, it would be some achievement having won the last two Copa Americas as well. The 2026 World Cup represents a chance for them to win four international trophies in a row, but Spain are tough opponents. They themselves will be aiming to repeat the feat of the 2010-2012 Spanish national team, who won the World Cup and Euros back-to-back.
If Spain don’t manage to make the final, Argentina could instead come up against Germany, France, or Belgium.
Argentina’s route to the final should they not win their group
As is always the case with football betting, nothing is ever certain, meaning that we should also be looking into Argentina’s route to the final if they don’t top their group.
Round of 32
July 2nd vs Spain
If Argentina miss out on the top spot of group J, then they may well be facing off against Spain, who according to the World Cup odds are expected to top group H.
How different is this? Going from a potential matchup for the final if Argentina topped the group, to what’s now round of 32 game!
If Argentina finished third in the group, they would instead play the winners of either groups L, D, B, G, or K, meaning it’ll likely be one of England, USA, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belgium, or Portugal (another potential Messi vs Ronaldo meeting!).
Round of 16
July 6th vs Croatia
If they progress past Spain, the next step of Argentina’s potential World Cup route could see them come up against Croatia in what would be a repeat of the semi-final in 2022. Though this isn’t guaranteed, Croatia is the favoured team to beat Austria in the previous round.
With Argentina cruising past Croatia in the last World Cup, they can hope to have a similar performance again if this fixture occurs.
Quarter final
July 10th vs Belgium
Again, back to the business end of the tournament now, the Albiceleste are looking like they would have to play against Belgium, who are predicted to better the USA in their round of 16 game.
This is another fixture where Argentina have the upper hand historically, having beaten them 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup thanks to an early goal by Gonzalo Higuain.
Semi final
July 14th vs France
The semi-final appears it could be a repeat of the 2022 World Cup final, with France seeming like they’ll reach this stage. Hopefully, should this matchup happen, we can have a game just as exciting as the final we had four years ago.
Considering France will be wanting revenge, we can hope this only adds more fuel to the fire!
World Cup final
July 19th vs England
Should Argentina fight their way through to the final, they’ll most likely be up against the Three Lions. With England hoping to end their trophy drought since 1966, they can be sure to have a real game on their hands if this fixture comes to fruition!
