Argentina will go for glory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as talismanic forward Lionel Messi makes what will be his final appearance in the tournament.
A runners-up medal in 2014 is as close as Messi has come to lifting the World Cup, but in Qatar the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will have a strong Argentina squad around him.
Argentina were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup by eventual winners France in the Round of 16 but came into the finals in fine form, embarking on a 36-game unbeaten run since the 2019 Copa America semifinals, including wining the 2021 tournament at the home of rivals Brazil.
The fitness of Messi and fellow forwards Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria will be key for Lionel Scaloni’s side as they aim to become the first Argentina team to win the World Cup since 1986.
MORE: Argentina World Cup squad 2022: All 26 players for national team in Qatar
Argentina 2022 World Cup schedule
Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Saudi Arabia in Lusail saw Group C’s top seeds meet its underdogs.
Scaloni’s men were expected to get off to a winning start before their eye-catching clash with Mexico four days later.
Poland, ranked 26th in the FIFA world rankings, could upset Argentina’s campaign if they have not already secured a place in the knockout stage by the time they face off on November 30.
A first World Cup group-stage exit since 2002 would be deemed a disaster for Argentina and a tragedy for the country’s iconic veteran Messi.
Group C match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2 | 5:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Argentina vs. Mexico | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Weds, Nov. 30 | Poland vs. Argentina | 2:00 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
Potential knockout round schedule — if Argentina finishes 1st in Group C
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Round of 16 | 2:00 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | Quarterfinals | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Tue, Dec. 13 | Semifinals | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17* | Third Place Match | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Final | 10:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
*Only in event of defeat in semifinals
Potential knockout schedule — if Argentina finishes 2nd in Group C
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | Round of 16 | 10:00 a.m. | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | Quarterfinals | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | Semifinals | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17* | Third Place Match | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Final | 10:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
*Only in event of defeat in semifinals
Argentina World Cup group: Group C
Argentina were drawn as top seeds in Group C alongside Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia. As a Pot 1 team, Argentina were viewed as the most likely side to qualify from the group. However, Mexico and Poland will seek to take advantage of the pressure and expectation weighing on Argentina in what will be Messi’s last World Cup.
Argentina have only failed to get beyond the group stage once since they won the World Cup in 1986, and have twice been beaten finalists in that time.
Can they recapture their crown this year?
World Cup Group C betting odds
The pre-tournament betting odds for Argentina and other Group C sides in the major global territories are below (odds via BetMGM for U.S., Sky Bet for U.K., Sports Interaction for Canada and Ladbrokes for Australia).
| Team | To win group |
|---|---|
| Argentina | -250 (US) 4/11 (UK) 1.39 (CAN) 1.40 (AU) |
| Mexico | +450 (US) 9/2 (UK) 5.73 (CAN) 6.00 (AU) |
| Poland | +500 (US) 11/2 (UK) 5.64 (CAN) 6.00 (AU) |
| Saudi Arabia | +1800 (US) 28/1 (UK) 22.00 (CAN) 26.00 (AU) |
| Team | To qualify |
| Argentina | -1600 (US) 1/16 (UK) 1.07 (CAN) 1.06 (AU) |
| Mexico | -118 (US) 5/6 (UK) 1.92 (CAN) 1.91 (AU) |
| Poland | -111 (US) 1/1 (UK) 1.92 (CAN) 1.91 (AU) |
| Saudi Arabia | +650 (US) 7/1 (UK) 6.13 (CAN) 7.00 (AU) |
| Team | To win World Cup |
| Argentina | +500 (US) 11/2 (UK) 4.30 (CAN) 6.50 (AU) |
| Mexico | +10000 (US) 100/1 (UK) 90.00 (CAN) 101 (AU) |
| Poland | +10000 (US) 100/1 (UK) 90.60 (CAN) 101 (AU) |
| Saudi Arabia | +60000 (US) 750/1 (UK) 450.00 (CAN) 501 (AU) |
World Cup Group C standings
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1:Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| C2: Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C3: Poland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C4: Argentina | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0-1 |
Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2
Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia as their highly anticipated 2022 World Cup campaign began with a seismic Group C defeat by the 750-1 outsiders, ranking as one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition.
The Albiceleste, unbeaten in 36 matches over the past three years, went ahead with a 10th-minute penalty from captain Lionel Messi, looking to cap a wonderful career by winning the tournament at the fifth attempt.
But Argentina failed to build on their first-half dominance, having three further goals — one for Messi, two for Lautaro Martinez — ruled out for offside before they were made to pay in a remarkable opening to the second half as Saudi Arabia first leveled and then went in front in the space of five sensational minutes.
First Saleh Al-Shehri surged past Cristian Romero and clipped a left-footed shot into the far corner before, in the 53rd minute, Salem Al-Dawsari spun round, swerved away from a defender and curled in a brilliant effort from the left edge of the area into into the top-right corner.
When is Argentina vs Mexico at World Cup 2022?
- Date: Saturday, November 26, 2022 (Lusail Stadium)
- Time: 10:00 p.m. (local) / 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (GMT) / 6:00 a.m. (Sunday, 27 Nov. AEDT) / 12:30 a.m. (Sunday, 27 Nov. IST)
Argentina go up against one of their fellow countrymen in Mexico coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who brings an experienced squad to Qatar.
However, injuries threaten to blight Mexico’s campaign and Argentina’s main task is likely to be breaking down a rigid defence.
When is Argentina vs Poland at World Cup 2022?
- Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 (Stadium 974)
- Time: 10:00 p.m. (local) / 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (GMT) / 6:00 a.m. (Thursday, 1 Dec. AEDT) / 12:30 a.m. (Thursday, 1 Dec. IST)
Argentina were hoping to have their place in the knockout stage secure before they meet Poland in Doha.
Now, the Albiceleste will likely have to withstand the potent goal threat of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski as well as Napoli attacking midfielder Piotr Zielinski, who is in fine form this season.
How to watch the World Cup
Here’s how to watch the World Cup action in the major global territories:
| Territory | TV | Streaming |
| US | FOX/FS1/Telemundo (Spanish)/Universo (Spanish) | fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo En Vivo |
| Canada | TSN | TSN GO |
| UK | BBC/ITV/STV | BBC iPlayer, ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Sports18 | Voot TV |
Qatar World Cup game times
Qatar resides in the Arabian Standard Time Zone, which is GMT +3. World Cup 2022 kickoff times in the major global territories are:
Group stage:
- 1:00 p.m. (local) / 5:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (GMT) / 9:00 p.m. (AEDT) / 3:30 p.m. (IST)
- 4:00 p.m. (local) / 8:00 a.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (GMT) / 12:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 6:30 p.m. (IST)
- 7:00 p.m. (local) / 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 4:00 p.m. (GMT) / 3:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 9:30 p.m. (IST)
- 10:00 p.m. (local) / 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (GMT) / 6:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 12:30 a.m. (IST)
Knockout stage (ET):
- 6:00 p.m. (local) / 10:00 a.m. (ET) / 3:00 p.m. (GMT) / 2:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 8:30 p.m. (IST) (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Third Place Match, Final)
- 10:00 p.m. (local) / 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (GMT) / 6:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 12:30 a.m. (IST) (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals)