Argentina Face Austria in Match That Could Decide Group J

A win would put the victor close to securing a last-16 spot under the 2026 expanded format.

Overview

Argentina, who opened Group J with a 3-0 win over Algeria and a Lionel Messi hat-trick, meet Austria, who beat Jordan 3-1, on Monday, June 22 at AT&T Stadium with kick-off at 17:00 BST.
A victory in Dallas would leave the winner firmly on course for the knockout stage because the 2026 format raises the immediate value of early wins.
Argentina enter as clear favourites based on their status as defending champions, a retained 2022 core and high attacking firepower led by Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez.
Austria have returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and will rely on leaders such as David Alaba and Marko Arnautović plus a compact midfield to try to disrupt Argentina’s build-up.
Pre-match coverage has focused on predicted lineups, the midfield duel between Mac Allister/Enzo Fernández and Konrad Laimer/Xaver Schlager, and betting markets that favour an Argentina win, over 2.5 goals, and Lautaro Martínez as an anytime scorer.