This is not the gentle Group J stroll the draw seemed to promise Argentina. Both they and Austria won their openers, both sit on three points, and the pair are split only by goal difference at the top. Win at a packed AT&T Stadium in Dallas and you are all but through; lose and the last round suddenly gets nervous. Here is how to watch the champions take on an in-form Austria, and when it kicks off wherever you are.
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM in the UK on Monday, June 22, at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas (noon local). In the US, Tubi has it free, or watch on Fox. In Britain it is on ITV and the BBC, both free, with streaming on ITVX.
Watching Argentina vs Austria Free
No paid subscription required here. Several official broadcasters have it free.
In Argentina the match is on Telefe and TyC Sports. Outside the free markets you will usually need a paid option like beIN Sports or Telemundo. As ever, the official broadcaster gives you the best picture and nothing dodgy to worry about.
Argentina vs Austria on TV Around the World
USA
Argentina Austria UK Australia
IndiaWhat Time Is Argentina vs Austria in Your City?
New York (ET)Dallas (CT, local)Los Angeles (PT)
Buenos Aires (ART)
Vienna (CEST)
London (BST)
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Mexico City (CST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
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Group J Has Two Front-Runners Already
Argentina and Austria both won on Matchday 1, the champions seeing off Algeria 3-0 and Austria beating Jordan 3-1. That leaves them clear at the top, separated only by a single goal of difference, so Monday is effectively a fight for first place and a near-certain spot in the last 16.
Algeria
JordanTop two go through, plus the best third-placed teams across the groups.
Can Anyone Lay a Glove on the Champions?
Argentina look every inch the holders. The 3-0 win over Algeria was the real thing, a clean sheet and three different scorers, and it came on the back of a friendly run that had Lionel Scaloni’s side purring. For Lionel Messi, this is a sixth World Cup, almost certainly his last, and there is a clear sense that this group of players wants to send him off the same way they did in 2022, with the trophy in his hands.
What makes this awkward is that Austria are not here to be extras. Four straight wins came into the tournament, and they backed it up by brushing Jordan aside 3-1 with real attacking intent. This is a well-drilled, confident team. The caveat, and it is a big one, is the level of opposition: Jordan are not Argentina, and a limp home draw with Bosnia during qualifying hinted that Austria can wobble when the pressure climbs.
There is history here too, even if it is faint. The countries last met at a World Cup back in 1978, the tournament Argentina went on to win on home soil. Austria’s own golden memory is older still, a third-place finish in 1954 that remains their high-water mark. They have waited a long time for nights like this against the best.
Expect Argentina to control the ball and Austria to pick their moments, pressing in bursts and hoping to catch the champions cold. If Messi and Julian Alvarez click early, this could be over by the hour. But if Austria can keep it tight and take the crowd out of it, they have the legs and the belief to make Scaloni sweat. The smart money is on Argentina, just not necessarily in a hurry.
How They Might Line Up
Scaloni is likely to stick with the side that dispatched Algeria, with Messi pulling the strings behind Alvarez. Ralf Rangnick’s Austria will keep the energetic, pressing shape that has served them so well, led by Marcel Sabitzer in midfield.
ARGENTINA · Scaloni · 4-3-3E Martinez · Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico · De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez · Messi (c), Alvarez, Julian Simeone
AUSTRIA · Rangnick · 4-2-3-1Schlager · Posch, Lienhart, Wober, Mwene · Seiwald, X Schlager · Baumgartner, Sabitzer (c), Laimer · Arnautovic
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A Word on AT&T Stadium
Home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium is the biggest venue at this World Cup, able to pack in well over 100,000 with standing room. Its giant hanging video board is among the largest in sport, and the roof closes to beat the Texas heat. One quirk worth noting: it is one of the venues using an artificial pitch, which can quicken the game. It hosts nine matches, including a semi-final. More on it at Wikipedia.
They have met only a handful of times and not often with much riding on it. Their paths last crossed at the 1978 World Cup, the tournament Argentina won. Meetings between the two are rare enough that there is little recent form to read into, which only adds to the intrigue.
Argentina vs Austria: Quick Answers
What time does Argentina vs Austria kick off?
1pm Eastern in the US, which is noon local in Dallas and 5pm in the UK. In Buenos Aires it is 2pm and in Vienna 7pm. The date is Monday, June 22, 2026.
Can I watch Argentina vs Austria for free in the US?
Yes. Tubi is streaming it free with no signup. Fox has the English broadcast and Telemundo the Spanish, and it is also on Fubo, Sling, YouTube TV and Peacock.
Is it on free TV in the UK?
Yes, on both ITV and the BBC, free to air, with streaming via ITVX and BBC iPlayer.
Where can I watch in Argentina and Austria?
In Argentina the game is on Telefe (free) and TyC Sports. In Austria it is free to air on ORF 1, with streaming on ORF ON.
Who is top of Group J?
Argentina lead on goal difference after their 3-0 win over Algeria, with Austria just behind after beating Jordan 3-1. Both have three points, so the winner on Monday takes top spot.
Is this Messi's last World Cup?
At 38, this is widely expected to be Lionel Messi's sixth and final World Cup, which adds an extra layer of meaning to Argentina's title defence.
Who are the key players?
For Argentina, Messi, Julian Alvarez and the midfield trio of De Paul, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez. For Austria, captain Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer and veteran striker Marko Arnautovic.
What is the prediction?
We fancy a 2-0 Argentina win. The champions have too much quality across the pitch, though a confident Austria should make them work for it.
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