Austria World Cup 2026 squad - what are their odds on beating Argentina

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Lionel Messi will be aiming to steer Argentina into the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup on Monday as the holders face Austria at Dallas Stadium.

Argentina opened their Group J campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria on Wednesday to sit top of the table. Austria are second on three points after beating Jordan 3-1 on June 17.

Any doubts about Argentina’s ability to defend their crown were eased in the opener, with Messi scoring a stunning hat-trick to seal the victory. The 38-year-old is now one goal away from moving past Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals — although securing qualification is the priority.

A win on Monday would guarantee Argentina’s place in the round of 32, while a draw would likely also be enough, leaving La Albiceleste assured of a top-three finish. If Scaloni’s side end up winning the group, they would meet the Group H runners-up in the next round - with Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde all in the mix.

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Argentina have been in formidable form, winning each of their last eight matches and keeping seven clean sheets in that run. In competitive games, they have won six, drawn one and lost one of their last eight. Another victory would also make it eight straight World Cup wins — matching the total they managed across their previous 14 tournament matches.

Austria, meanwhile, were made to work for their win over Jordan. They went 2-1 ahead thanks to a 76th-minute own goal from Yazan Abu Al-Arab before Marko Arnautovic wrapped it up with a penalty deep into second-half stoppage time.

Head coach Ralf Rangnick will be unhappy with how open his side were for Jordan’s equaliser early in the second half, with space exposed down Austria’s left after an ineffective high press. Even so, Austria have conceded more than once in just one of their last 18 matches, and they’ve scored at least twice in four of their last six competitive outings.

Austria are closing in on a first World Cup knockout-stage appearance since 1982 — a milestone made more notable given this is their first tournament since 1998.

Austria have a long way to go based on the bookies prices with Argentina the strong odd-on favourite to get all three points. The underdogs will need to inspiration from the likes of Cape Verde and Curacao if they are to get a result in this.

They are 7/1 longshots with Paddy Power to win this one while bet365 , Sky Bet and William Hill have them at 13/2 as Austria look to secure their spot in the knockout rounds for the first time in 40 years as they look to make their mark in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

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