Argentina v Austria prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group J

Lionel Messi stepped into the FIFA World Cup 2026 and immediately reminded everyone why Argentina are defending champions. His hat-trick against Algeria in Kansas City, the first of his World Cup career, drew him level with Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time top scorer on 16 goals. Now, just six days later, he arrives in Dallas with one goal standing between him and sole ownership of that record, and a result that could seal Argentina's place in the round of 32.

Argentina head into this fixture top of Group J, separated from Austria only by goal difference after both sides won their openers. A win on Monday locks up a knockout-stage berth with a game to spare. Lionel Scaloni's side won their last eight matches heading into the tournament and kept a clean sheet in the opener, conceding nothing and registering an xG of 1.47 against Algeria while limiting their opponents to an xG of just 0.30. The title defence is tracking exactly as planned.

Austria's three points came with rather more drama. Ralf Rangnick's side were pegged back by Jordan before an own goal in the 76th minute and a stoppage-time Marko Arnautovic penalty sealed a 3-1 win. The 67-year-old Rangnick will be satisfied with the result but less pleased about the defensive exposure on the left side when Jordan equalised. Austria have only conceded more than once in one of their last 18 matches, so the Jordan goal was something of an aberration rather than a pattern, but Argentina are a different proposition entirely.

For Austria, the stakes are just as clear. A first World Cup knockout appearance since 1982 is within reach, and their first since the country returned to the tournament after a 28-year absence. Rangnick has built something worth protecting. His side recorded the lowest Passes per Defensive Action figure in European qualifying, making them the continent's most proactive pressing unit. Whether that pressing game can function against Argentina's quality in the Texas heat is Monday's central question.

Argentina arrive with five wins from their last five across all competitions before the Algeria game, scoring 12 goals and conceding one. Messi started against Algeria and produced arguably the finest individual display of any player in the opening round of fixtures. Austria beat Jordan 3-1 but needed to come from behind, and their attacking output was partly inflated by a late penalty. Rangnick confirmed no new injuries from the Jordan game and is expected to field a similar lineup, though the fitness of right-back Stefan Posch, who suffered a broken jaw in the opener, remains the one significant fitness question in the Austrian camp.

Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar addressed the Austria challenge at the pre-match media session. He said: "Austria is a very tough team, as we're seeing with the vast majority of the teams participating in this World Cup." The comment was diplomatically understated, Aimar knows Rangnick's pressing system will test Argentina's composure in a way that Algeria did not.

Scaloni is unlikely to deviate from the system that delivered a 3-0 win against Algeria. Emiliano Martinez starts in goal, with a back four featuring Molina (if Montiel fails to recover), Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Facundo Medina. The midfield four of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Thiago Almada supports Messi, who operates behind Julian Alvarez.

Rangnick will likely line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Alexander Schlager in goal and Laimer moving to right-back in place of the injured Posch. David Alaba captains the side from central defence alongside Philipp Lienhart, with Philipp Mwene at left-back. Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager form the double pivot, with Romano Schmid, Carney Chukwuemeka and Marcel Sabitzer providing support behind Kalajdzic.

Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, C. Romero, L. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi; Alvarez

Austria: A. Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; N. Seiwald, X. Schlager; Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer; Kalajdzic

Argentina v Austria kicks off at 18:00 BST on Monday 22 June. The match is on BBC One in the UK, with free live streaming via BBC iPlayer. In the United States, coverage is on Fox Sports.