Argentina vs Ecuador Fifa World Cup 2026 Qualifiers - Live Streams, Match Schedule, Starting XI

the Argentine National Team begins its path in the South American Qualifiers towards the 2026 World Cup. On the first date it will host Ecuador on Thursday from 9 p.m., at the Monumental Stadium and with TyC Sports televising.

For the match against the Tricolor led by the Spanish Félix Sánchez Bas, Lionel Scaloni has everything clear regarding the goalkeeper and defenders, while  Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister will be part of the starting eleven in the midfield. On the other hand, doubts begin on the offensive side.

Under the three sticks the name of Dibu Martínez is a fixture, while in front of him and in a line of four defenders will appear Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Tagliafico, who will be of the game since Marcos Acuña is injured . In the midfield, particularly in his axis, Enzo Fernández will put all his vision and poise for the first pass, while Alexis Mac Allister will act as an intern, together with the Argentine motorist Rodrigo De Paul.

Already in the attack, doubts appear, since the position of center forward  has no defined owner : on the one hand there is Julián Álvarez, who has been a fixture lately at Manchester City and was one of the Argentine goalscorers in the World Cup; on the other, there is Lautaro Martínez , an emblem of Inter who is going through a great moment, converting 25 goals - the same as Lionel Messi - since the Scaleneta was established in the Middle East. The Bull runs with an advantage over the Spider and it seems that he will be the one chosen by the strategist.

Likewise, the offensive trident, with captain Lionel Messi, has a surprise: the coach will leave Ángel Di María out of the starting eleven so that Nicolás González jumps onto the field from minute zero. This decision seems to indicate that the national team, when it does not have possession of the ball, will form a 4-4-2, with the Fiorentina man joining the midfielders to cover the projection of the Ecuadorian full-backs. 

Starting XI:

Emiliano Martinez ; Nahuel Molina , Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico ; Rodrigo De Paul , Enzo Fernandez, Alexis MacAllister ; Lionel Messi,  Lautaro Martinez and Nicolás González. DT: Lionel Scaloni.

Match Schedule:

Bangladesh: 6:00 AM

Argentina: 9:00 p.m.

India: 5:30 AM

Pakistan: 5:00 AM

Germany: 2:00 AM

Turkey: 3:00 AM

Russia: 3:00 AM

Nepal: 5:45 AM

HongKong: 8:00 AM

Sweden: 2:00 AM

Brazil: 9:00 p.m.

Uruguay: 9:00 p.m.

Paraguay: 8:00 p.m.

Chile: 9:00 p.m.

Bolivia: 8:00 p.m.

Venezuela: 8:00 p.m.

Ecuador: 7:00 PM

Peru: 7:00 p.m.

Colombia: 7:00 p.m.

Mexico: 6:00 p.m.

Ghana: 12:00 AM

Portugal: 1:00 AM

Spain: 2:00 AM

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