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Buenos Aires, February 5:
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced on Thursday that the Argentina national team will set up its base in Kansas City for most of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Argentina will begin its World Cup title defence on June 16. The team will face Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Argentina Group Stage Schedule Confirmed
After the opening match, Argentina will travel to Texas for its next two group-stage games.
The team will play both matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Argentina’s group-stage fixtures include:
- June 16: Argentina vs Algeria (Kansas City)
- June 22: Argentina vs Austria (Arlington, Texas)
- June 27: Argentina vs Jordan (Arlington, Texas)
AFA Explains Kansas City Selection
The AFA said it selected Kansas City after multiple inspection trips. The federation said the coaching staff and administrative team reviewed several factors before finalising the location.
Moreover, the AFA considered the travel distance between Kansas and Texas. In addition, it evaluated training facilities and team amenities.
As a result, the federation decided that Kansas City would provide the best environment for the team during the tournament.
Coaches and Staff Led Inspection Visits
According to the AFA, Head Coach Luis Martin, Assistant Head Coach Juan Tamone, and administrative staff Daniel Cabrera and Alberto Pernas led the inspection trips.
After that, the federation prepared a detailed final report. Finally, it confirmed Kansas City as the team’s base for the World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Key Tournament Details
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. The match will start at 3 PM ET.
The group stage will conclude on June 27.
Meanwhile, several major teams will play on the final day of the group stage. This list includes Argentina, Portugal, Croatia, and England.
Knockout Stage Dates Announced
The tournament will follow a new expanded format. It will include a Round of 32.
The knockout stage schedule is:
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4 to July 7
- Quarterfinals: July 9 to July 11
- Semifinals: July 14 to July 15
USA to Host Majority of Matches
The tournament will include matches across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The USA will host 78 matches in total. Canada and Mexico will host 13 matches each.
Additionally, the quarterfinal-to-final stretch will take place entirely in the USA.
Key venues include:
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- Kansas City
- Miami
- Dallas
- Atlanta
- New Jersey
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