The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues in North Texas with another marquee matchup on Monday, when defending champion Argentina and Lionel Messi take on Austria in a Group J match at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
Argentina comes into its next match riding high after a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City, powered by a Lionel Messi hat trick. The 38-year-old captain delivered a masterclass, scoring three goals that not only secured a statement victory for the defending champions but also tied him with Miroslav Klose’s all-time men’s World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
One more goal against Austria on Monday would see Messi claim the outright record in what is likely his final World Cup appearance.
20 years of Messi ✨#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2026
Manager Lionel Scaloni kept the core of his 2022 title-winning squad largely intact, blending Qatar veterans like Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Julian Alvarez with younger talent such as Nico Paz and Thiago Almada. Argentina entered the tournament ranked first in the world.
Austria arrives in Texas off its own impressive start, a 3-1 win over World Cup debutant Jordan that delivered the country’s first World Cup victory in over 30 years.
Coach Ralf Rangnick, the former Manchester United interim boss, has steadily rebuilt the team since 2022, and it showed against Jordan. Marko Arnautovic, the country’s all-time leading scorer at 37, was the driving force behind Austria’s return to the finals for the first time since 1998, netting eight goals in qualifying, including a four-goal outburst in a 10-0 destruction of San Marino. Captain David Alaba of Real Madrid is also finally making his World Cup debut at 33, after injuries cost him a place at Euro 2024 and the 2022 tournament, per FIFA.
Austria topped UEFA Group H with 19 points from eight matches, two clear of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dropping just one qualifier throughout. That run, paired with the opening win over Jordan, has “Das Team” sitting alongside Argentina atop Group J after the first round of matches, with Algeria and Jordan both still searching for points.
Monday’s match is a test of how far Austria can go this summer – the country hasn’t gotten out of the group stage since 1982. For Argentina, the stakes are even bigger: a win in Arlington would put Messi’s side in firm control of Group J, with Jordan still to come, and keep them on track to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend a World Cup title.
Expect Messi to draw significant attention, with Argentina likely to lean on its familiar 4-3-3 setup featuring Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez alongside him up top. Austria’s response will hinge on its compact, high-intensity defense and the experience of midfielders Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer to close off Argentina’s attackers.
Argentina should be the heavy favorite here, but between Austria’s qualifying run and the grit they showed against Jordan, “Das Team” won’t be an easy out at Dallas Stadium.
The Dallas Express will be on-site at Dallas Stadium for Monday’s match, with live updates throughout the game.
