World Cup 2026: Who will Argentina face in Round of 32?

3 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026 01:00 PM IST

World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi's Argentina are slated to play their Round of 32 match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 3. (AP Photo)

FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Schedule: Defending world champions Argentina stormed into the Round of 32 without breaking a sweat as Lionel Messi put on another show with a brace against Austria on Monday. Backing up his hat-trick against Algeria in the Group J opener, Messi shattered the World Cup goal-scoring record, raising his tally to 18 goals across six editions.

ALSO READ | Record-breaking Lionel Messi’s longevity is truly remarkable

The win powered Argentina into an unassailable lead in their group, booking a fixed slot in the Round of 32 with five days of group-stage action left in the 48-team tournament. Messi’s Argentina are likely to play their Round of 32 match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on July 3, four days after their last group game against Jordan in Arlington.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 32 Bracket

Match No

Date

Time (IST)

Round of 32 Match

Venue

73

Jun 29

12:30 AM

R-32: Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up

Los Angeles

74

June 29

10:30 PM

R-32: Group C winners vs Group F runners-up

Houston

75

June 30

2:00 AM

R-32: Germany vs Best Third-Placed Team

Foxborough

76

June 30

6:30 AM

R-32: Group F winners vs Group C runners-up

Guadalajara

77

June 30

10.30 PM

R-32: Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up

Arlington

78

July 1

2:30 AM

R-32: Group I winners vs Best Third-Placed Team

New Jersey

79

July 1

6:30 AM

R-32: Mexico vs Best Third-Placed Team

Mexico City

80

July 1

9:30 PM

R-32: Group L winners vs Best Third-Placed Team

Atlanta

81

July 2

1.30 AM

R-32: Group G winners vs Best Third-Placed Team

Seattle

82

July 2

1.30 AM

R-32: United States vs Best Third-Placed Team

Santa Clara

83

July 2

5:30 AM

R-32: Group H winners vs Group J runners-up

Los Angeles

84

July 3

12:30 AM

R-32: Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up

Toronto

85

July 3

4:30 AM

R-32: Group B winners vs Best Third-Placed Team

Vancouver

86

July 3

8:30 AM

R-32: Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up

Arlington

87

July 3

11.30 PM

R-32: Argentina vs Group H runners-up

Miami

88

July 4

3:30 AM

R-32: Group K winners vs Best Third-Placed Team

Kansas City

FIFA World Cup 2026: Who are Argentina’s likely Round of 32 opponents?

Only a miracle can topple Argentina from atop the Group J standings with a round’s action left. As things stand Messi and Co. will go through as Group J winners and face the runners-up of Group H where things have spiced up after a series of interesting draws, featuring Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.

Uruguay currently occupy the second spot, with 2 points in 2 games. However, their task will be cut out as they face leaders Spain in their final group game. It leaves World Cup debutants Cape Verde with a fair shot at second place as they face Saudi Arabia in their last match, with two points in two games. Saudi, who shared the same group and even stunned Argentina in their World Cup opener in 2022, could also aim for a second-placed finish if they happen to beat Cape Verde and Spain overcome Uruguay in the last set of games.

Argentina, therefore, will have to wait for the trio of Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia to sort out their qualifications on Saturday to confirm their first knockout opponents.