Argentina Faces Uruguayan and Brazilian Showdowns on Road to 2026 World Cup

The world champions are preparing for a demanding double date against two South American powerhouses as they chase another historic run. Argentina began the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America with an unblemished streak of four wins, sitting at the top of the standings with a perfect record and holding a five-point lead over Uruguay and Brazil, who are set to confront them in quick succession.
The full schedule for the Argentina national team on the road to the 2026 World Cup has been laid out. The Albiceleste will welcome Uruguay to a home clash on Thursday, November 16, with kickoff at 9:00 PM. The venue will be buzzing with anticipation as the squad looks to extend their early advantage on the table. A few days later, they will head to Rio de Janeiro to face Brazil at the famous Maracana, set for Tuesday, November 21 at 9:30 PM local time.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has two surprises up his sleeve for the squad, including Pablo Maffeo and Francisco Ortega. Maffeo, a Barcelona-formed defender playing for Mallorca, has a unique heritage with an Italian father and Argentinian mother, which opens the door for his inclusion. Ortega, a left back who developed through Vélez Sarsfield’s youth ranks, has been part of Olympiacos FC since mid-2023. These selections come as strategic options to bolster depth and cover for potential injuries or fatigue in the squad.
The call-ups are also influenced by the health status of several regular defenders who have recently reported discomfort. Names such as Gonzalo Montiel, Juan Foyth, Germán Pezzella, and Marcos Acuña are among those monitored as the team finalizes its plans. In addition, two midfielders return to the roster, Giovanni Iturbel and Paulo Dybala, bringing experience and playmaking quality to the balance of the midfield.
As the team gathers new tactical ideas and assesses player form, discussions around squad selection reflect the urgency of the double fixture window. The tactical approach will likely emphasize solidity at the back, control in the middle of the field, and quick transitions in attack as they face two of the strongest teams in the continent. The forthcoming matches promise to be a test of both depth and resilience for Argentina, with the aim of securing maximum points and maintaining momentum through the 2026 qualification phase. (Goal)