The world champion begins its march toward the 2026 World Cup on home soil, stepping onto a stage at the Monumental where supporters will watch Argentina collide with Mexico’s regional rival, Ecuador. It is a first official test in the South American qualifying campaign, and the setting promises a vibrant atmosphere as Argentina seeks to translate the prestige of its recent global title into a strong start in the road to North America.
Argentina will meet Ecuador in a match that marks the opening round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the continent. The encounter at the Monumental provides the Albiceleste with an immediate chance to collect points in a campaign that aims to deliver a memorable qualifier run for fans across Argentina and the broader region. The objective is clear: inaugurate the campaign with a win and send a message to rivals that the current world champions remain capable of competing at the highest level far beyond the celebrations in Qatar 2022.
Under the guidance of Lionel Scaloni, the squad will begin this journey with a strong core that has carried its senior players through the triumph in Qatar while welcoming a fresh generation of talents. Players like Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Buonanotte, and Lucas Beltrán are part of a youthful cohort stepping into the fold with confidence. The mix of established veterans and rising stars is designed to balance experience with energy, ensuring the team can compete with renewed intensity on domestic soil and abroad. On the other side, the Ecuadorian squad arrives in a period of transition, led by Félix Sánchez Bas after Gustavo Alfaro’s departure following the World Cup group-stage exit. The duel at the Monumental will therefore feature a blend of continuity and change, reflecting both teams’ ambitions in a competition that touches a broader story of regional pride and progress.
South American qualifiers for the 2026 North American World Cup: dates, fixtures, results and format
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ARGENTINA – ECUADOR, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- Minute by minute coverage of the Albiceleste against the Tricolor as both teams line up for a pivotal opening night in the South American qualifiers.
- Good evening and welcome to a fresh GOAL broadcast. Argentina faces Ecuador on the first date of the 2026 qualifiers, with the Monumental hosting a contest that carries significant symbolic weight for a nation hungry for another strong run in the world game.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE TV AND STREAMING
The match between the Albiceleste and the Tricolor will be shown in Argentina on TyC Sports and via public television as part of national coverage.
In streaming, fans can tune in through TyC Sports Games and the Cont.Ar platform, with options for reserve streams and on-demand highlights to suit different viewing preferences.
FORMATIONS
ARGENTINA
Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolas Gonzalez; Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez. DT: Lionel Scaloni.
ECUADOR
Hernan Galindez; Jose Hurtado Cheme, Felix Torres, Robert Arboleda, William Joel Pacho Tenorio, Pervis Estupiñán; Carlos Gruezo, Jose Cifuentes, Moises Caicedo; Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata. DT: Felix Sanchez.
Source: Goal