Battle on the Pitch: Argentina and Ecuador Unveil Starting 11s for 2026 Clash

Argentina Begins World Cup Qualification Campaign Against Ecuador

Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, will kick off their journey to potentially retain their title as they face Ecuador in the first match of their qualification campaign for the 2026 tournament. Led by the influential Lionel Messi, who inspired his team to victory in Qatar in 2022, Argentina will be looking to secure their place in the competition co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

A Demanding Path to Qualification

Qualifying for the World Cup from the CONMEBOL region is notoriously challenging, and Argentina faces a staggering 18 matches until September 2025 in their quest to reach the tournament. The team will have a mammoth task ahead of them as they navigate through a grueling schedule.

Argentina‘s victory in the World Cup propelled them to the top of the FIFA world rankings, displacing arch-rivals Brazil from the first place. With their recent success, Argentina enters this opening match against Ecuador as the firm favorites.

Confirmed Lineups

Lionel Messi will lead the Argentina team as captain in his 176th international cap. He will be joined by fellow World Cup winners Lisandro Martinez and Rodrigo De Paul, who are expected to start in this fixture. The national coach, Lionel Scaloni, has also given opportunities to some young stars in 2023, but Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho will have to wait for his chance. Nicolas Otamendi, a veteran, has been chosen at the back, leaving out Lisandro Martinez.

The confirmed starting lineup for Argentina is as follows:

• Emiliano Martinez — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico — Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, De Paul — Messi, La. Martinez, N. Gonzalez

On the other side, Ecuador will rely on their prominent player, Moises Caicedo, who recently completed a transfer to Premier League side Chelsea. The team’s captain, Enner Valencia, will lead the line once again. Coach Felix Sanchez has made some controversial decisions, including not calling up Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Leonardo Campana. Instead, Gonzalo Plata will partner with Valencia up front. Additionally, Hernan Galindez replaces Alexander Dominguez in goal.

The confirmed starting lineup for Ecuador is as follows:

• Galindez (GK) — Arboleda, F. Torres, Pacho — Hurtado, Caicedo, Gruezo, Cifuentes, Estupinan — Plata, Valencia

How to Watch the Match

The Argentina vs Ecuador match will take place on Thursday, September 7. The match will be broadcasted on Telemundo and Univision in the United States, with streaming available via ViX, TelevisaUnivision’s Spanish-language service. Unfortunately, the match will not be available globally to regions including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

CONMEBOL has sold the broadcast rights to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on an individual basis, allowing the host nation’s federation for each match to sell the rights themselves. While streaming service Fanatiz has acquired the rights to certain CONMEBOL matches in this September international window, the Argentina matches are not currently included in that group.

Editorial and Advice

As Argentina begins their World Cup qualification campaign, they face the challenge of maintaining their championship form from 2022. The team, led by Lionel Messi, undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time, is expected to perform at the highest level.

However, it is important for Argentina to not take their opponents lightly, especially in the fiercely competitive CONMEBOL region. Each match presents a significant challenge, and the team must remain focused and prepared as they navigate through the demanding qualification process.

Furthermore, as the World Cup approaches, it is crucial for Argentina to continue nurturing young talent alongside their experienced players. This balance will ensure the long-term success of the team and enable them to maintain their status as a footballing powerhouse.

As for the viewers, it is unfortunate that the Argentina vs Ecuador match will not be available for streaming in several regions. However, for those in the United States, the match can be enjoyed through Telemundo and Univision’s broadcast, with streaming available via ViX.

With the road to the 2026 World Cup beginning, football fans around the world eagerly await the outcome of this qualifying campaign, as Argentina seeks to defend their title and once again make their mark on the global stage.