Argentina National Football Team Prepares for FIFA World Cup 2026

By Vikram Nair / 27.03.2026

Argentina is the reigning world champion, and ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine National Team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will be based in Kansas City for much of the competition.

Argentina’s first match will take place against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium. Following this, the team will face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27 during the group stage.

The tournament will kick off with a match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, with a total of 78 games hosted across the United States during the event.

According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the decision to base the team in Kansas City was made after several inspection trips led by Head Coach Luis Martin and Assistant Head Coach Juan Tamone, along with administrative staff Daniel Cabrera and Alberto Pernas.

In a statement, AFA noted, “Following several inspection trips… it was concluded that Kansas City would be the ideal location for the tournament, considering the distances between cities and, more importantly, the amenities available to the team.”

The knockout stages of the tournament will commence on June 28 and run until July 3, with the quarterfinals scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, Boston, Kansas City, and Miami.

The semifinals will take place in Dallas and Atlanta, while the final is set to be hosted in New Jersey.

As the tournament approaches, the excitement builds among fans and players alike, with Argentina looking to defend their title on the world stage.

South Korea, Canada, and Mexico are the only teams that will not have games played in the U.S. during the tournament.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific arrangements for the team’s stay in Kansas City, but preparations are underway as the World Cup draws nearer.