The Argentina men’s football team completed the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers by finishing top of the 10-team table. Despite losing their final matchday contest, Argentina were too good in the Qualifiers and enjoyed a dominating show. Back in March 2025, Argentina made it through to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 2026 edition will be Argentina’s 19th World Cup.
Argentina’s performance in the Qualifiers
Argentina, the number one ranked team in the world, started their CONMEBOL qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win against Ecuador in September 2023. Few days later, they tamed Bolivia 3-0 away. In October 2023, Argentina outmuscled Paraguay 1-0 on Matchday 3 to keep a third straight clean sheet. In the same month, they posted a 4th successive clean sheet with a 2-0 win over Peru.
Argentina’s 100% win record was ended by Uruguay in November 2023. The latter won 2-0 away. However, a few days later, Argentina returned back to winning ways on Matchday 6, beating Brazil 1-0.
Argentina’s next qualifying match was in September 2024. They returned to action with a 3-0 win over Chile. Matchday 8 was Argentina’s 2nd defeat in the qualifying campaign. They lost 2-1 to Colombia. On Matchday 9 in October 2024, Argentina blanked Bolivia 6-0.
In November 2024, Argentina lost their 3rd encounter, this time to Paraguay. Matchday 12 saw them return back to winning ways as they edged past Peru 1-0. In March 2025, Argentina beat Uruguay 1-0 and then tamed rivals Brazil 4-1. In June, they beat Chile 1-0 and drew 1-1 against Colombia.
The final two matches of their qualifying campaign in September 2025 saw them beat Venezuela 3-0 before losing 1-0 to Ecuador.
Points table and team stats
From 18 matches, Argentina picked up 12 wins, two draws and 4 defeats. They collected 38 points in the process. Argentina’s 31 goals was the highest by any side. Their goal difference of +21 was also the best. They also kept the most number of clean sheets (11). Argentina conceded the joint 2nd-fewest goals (10) alongside Colombia.
Lionel Messi delivers with 8 goals and three assists
Lionel Messi was the highest goal-scorer in the CONMEBOL qualifying stage. He was the top scorer with 8 goals. He became the 4th player from Argentina to top the scoring chart in qualifying.
The likes of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez was Argentina’s 2nd-best scorers with 4 goals each.
Alongside his 8 goals, Messi managed 3 assists for Argentina in 12 CONMEBOL qualifying matches.
Argentina at the FIFA World Cup
Defending champions Argentina have won the prestigious FIFA World Cup on three occasions. They lifted the trophy in 1978, 1986 and 2022. They have also been runners-up twice in 1990 and 2014.
Messi, who has played 5 FIFA World Cup events, leads the appearances tally for his nation (26). Diego Maradona and Javier Mascherano are the only other players with 20-plus appearances.
Messi is the top scorer for Argentina at the World Cup with 13 goals. Gabriel Batistuta (10) is behind him.
Messi, a winner of two FIFA Golden Ball awards (2014 and 2022), has bagged 11 Man of the Match awards.
Will Messi play at 2026 FIFA World Cup?
After Argentina’s win over Venezuela on Matchday 17 this month, Messi cast his doubt oover playing in the tournament.
“In the past, I said it, logically, it was unlikely I’d play in a World Cup at 39. It’s nine months away, which is close, but it’s a long time as well,” Messi told reporters at the Monumental Stadium.
“I love this, I love playing, and I never want it to end, but the moment is coming, I am aware, it will happen when it has to happen.”
Argentina are one of the favourites for next year’s event
Argentina are one of the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held at the USA, Canada and Mexico. They have a desirable forward line with quality in both midfield and defence. They are a side that is a hard to beat with a tough defence to crack down as seen in the Qualifiers.
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