From Thursday to Friday night, Argentina begins its qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup against Ecuador in Buenos Aires. TV channels, possible compositions… Here’s all you need to know about the meeting.
Argentina-Ecuador context
Defending champions Argentina should not have much trouble getting tickets for the 2026 World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For this, Lionel Scaloni’s men only have to finish in the top six of the South American zone, made up of a total of ten teams. The Albiceleste have not lost a match since Hervé Renard’s opening group defeat against Saudi Arabia (1-2) in Qatar. Argentina have played four friendlies against smaller nations in 2023, winning all without conceding a single goal. That’s why Lionel Messi’s teammates are brimming with confidence to challenge Ecuador in Buenos Aires.
Ecuador’s selection which showed its advantage during the 2022 World Cup especially by stopping Netherlands. TRAI is also on three consecutive wins in friendly matches, but is not really successful against Argentina with only one win in the last ten matches.
Possible team of Argentina-Ecuador
For this first match, Lionel Scaloni will have to play without the injured Paulo Dybala and Emi Buendia, while Lisandro Martinez left prematurely during Manchester United’s visit to Arsenal. In contrast, Felix Sanchez can count on his star Ener Valencia and €133m player Moises Cacido.
Possible Argentina squad: E. Martinez – Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico – De Paul, McAllister, Alvarez – Messi, L. Martinez, Di Maria
Possible formation of Ecuador: Dominguez – Estupinan, Pacho Tenorio, Arboleda, Realpe, Preciado – Cacido, Cifuentes, Alcivar Macias – Valencia, Mena.
At what time and on which channel to watch Argentina-Ecuador?
The match between Argentina and Ecuador will be played from Thursday night till 2:00 am on Friday live team, The full TV schedule for the day can be found here.