Defending champions Argentina face Austria in their Group J second-round fixture at AT&T Stadium, Arlington on Monday, 23 June 2026, with kick-off set for 10:30 PM IST. A win would all but seal Argentina's berth in the round of 32, while Austria will be equally eager to build on their opening-match momentum.

Argentina's Form and Messi's Historic Milestone

Lionel Messi and his side arrived at this fixture on the back of a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener. The reigning world champions showcased their characteristic blend of possession, creativity, and clinical finishing — reaffirming their status as one of the tournament favourites. The match carried an added historical dimension: Messi's goal drew him level with Miroslav Klose among the all-time highest scorers in FIFA World Cup history, a milestone that underscored his enduring influence on the global stage.

Austria's Confident Start Under Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick's Austria enter this clash with confidence after edging past World Cup debutants Jordan 3-1 in their opening game. The scoreline, while comfortable on paper, did not fully reflect the challenge Austria faced — they were pushed hard before eventually pulling clear in the second half. Key contributors included forwards Marko Arnautovic and Michael Gregoritsch, who will be central to Austria's attacking ambitions against a formidable Argentine defence.

Head-to-Head Record

The two nations have met six times in senior men's international football. Argentina lead the historical record with three wins, while Austria have claimed two victories and one match ended in a draw. This World Cup group-stage encounter will be their first meeting in a major tournament in decades, adding an extra layer of significance to the fixture.

How to Watch Argentina vs Austria Live in India

Indian viewers can catch all the action via live streaming on Zee5 (platform and app), though a subscription will be required. For those preferring traditional television, the match will be broadcast live on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD channels.

Match Details and Full Squads

Date and kick-off: Monday, 23 June 2026, 10:30 PM IST
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar

Argentina squad —
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Facundo Medina
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Valentin Barco
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Nicolás Gonzalez, Giuliano Simeone, Jose Manuel Lopez

Austria squad —
Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz, Alexander Schlager, Florian Wiegele
Defenders: David Affengruber, David Alaba, Kevin Danso, Marco Friedl, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene, Stefan Posch, Alexander Prass, Michael Svobod
Midfielders: Christoph Baumgartner, Carney Chukwuemeka, Florian Grillitsch, Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, Romano Schmid, Alessandro Schöpf, Paul Wanner, Patrick Wimmer
Forwards: Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch, Sasa Kalajdzic

With both sides having opened their campaigns with victories, Monday's clash at Arlington promises to be a compelling contest that could define the shape of Group J heading into the final round of fixtures.