Argentina starting lineup: Who will play vs. Austria at World Cup?

Lionel Messi started the 2026 World Cup with a bang, notching the tournament's first hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria.

As a result, La Albiceleste will have a chance to clinch passage through to the knockout stage in its second game. Argentina needs only to beat Austria in its second group-stage match to guarantee a shot to defend its 2022 World Cup title.

Lionel Scaloni's squad was dominant in its win over Algeria, and the manager made just one change for his team to face Austria.

Here's how Argentina will line up against Austria in Arlington, Texas, on June 22:

Argentina projected lineup vs. Algeria

Goalkeeper:

• Emiliano Martínez

Defenders:

• Lisandro Martínez
• Facundo Medina
• Nahuel Molina
• Cristian Romero

Midfielders:

• Rodrigo De Paul
• Enzo Fernández
• Alexis Mac Allister

Forwards:

• Thiago Almada
• Lautaro Martínez
• Lionel Messi

Lineup notes: Argentina has made just one change to its 11 after the success it enjoyed against Algeria.

Gonzalo Montiel was replaced at halftime by Nahuel Molina in Argentina's first match, and Molina gets the start against Austria.

Argentina 2026 World Cup schedule

Here are the remaining matchups for Argentina in the group stage of the World Cup:

• Argentina vs. Austria on June 22 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
• Argentina vs. Jordan on June 27 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Argentina 2026 World Cup roster

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid)

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Nico González (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel López (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)