Argentina to Face Brazil in World Cup 2026?
The prospect of a blockbuster Argentina-Brazil encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains alive — but fans will have to wait until at least the semi-finals to see the South American giants face off.
Friday night’s official draw in Washington DC for the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, placed the two arch-rivals on a collision course that can materialise only in the last four — provided both teams navigate the knockout stages in the expected manner.
Brazil were drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti, while defending champions Argentina landed in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Under the new format, a potential Argentina-Brazil showdown can occur in the semi-finals if:
- Both finish as group winners, or
- Both finish as runners-up.
If one tops its group and the other finishes second, the two teams are kept apart until a possible final.
Only an extremely dramatic scenario — such as one of the teams finishing third in its group and advancing through playoffs — could alter the path, though such outcomes remain highly unpredictable at this stage.
The last time Argentina and Brazil met at a World Cup was in the 1990 round of 16, when Claudio Caniggia’s goal gave Diego Maradona’s side a famous victory. The two South American powerhouses have clashed four times in total in World Cup history:
- 1974 second round: Brazil 2-1 Argentina
- 1978 second round: Argentina 0-0 Brazil
- 1982 second round: Brazil 3-1 Argentina
- 1990 round of 16: Argentina 1-0 Brazil
For the first time since 1990, the football world could witness another chapter of this storied rivalry on the grandest stage — but only if Lionel Messi’s Argentina and the resurgent Seleção both reach the penultimate round in 2026.
