Argentina World Cup Preview & Analysis: Schedule, Roster & Projections

Action Network's staff of soccer experts are here to take you through each and every team that will be participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina are in Qatar for the 2018 World Cup. They are ranked third in the FIFA World Rankings and are unbeaten in 35 matches. Argentina finished World cup qualifying with a +19 goal differential. La Albiceleste are favorites to win the tournament. They finished second in their group behind Croatia in 2018 and lost in Round of 16 to France. The team is led by seven-time Ballon D'or winner Lionel Messi. It is their third-ever World Championship.

Lionel Messi is the key player for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar. Messi has been playing for PSG since the start of the season. He scored six goals and had 14 assists in 26 games in his first season with PSg. For Argentina, he led the team with seven goals during World Championship Qualifier. Messi can become Argentina’s leader in World Cups if he plays in all three group stage games.

Lionel Scaloni took over as head coach in 2018 after Argentina fell in the Round of 16 during the 2018 World Cup. His preferred formation for Argentina is a 4-4-2. When they are on the attack, it will shift into a4.3-3. Angel Di Maria and Giovani Lo Celso play in midfield, while Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi play as forwards. Scalini encourages his team to play with high pressure and squeeze the midfield.

Argentina is playing in the World Cup.

Argentina won their group and lost to France in the Round of 16.