Messi, Argentina vs. Austria Top Storylines, Odds, Live Stream for World Cup 2026

The second act of Lionel Messi's 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place on Monday afternoon.

Messi netted his first-career World Cup hat-trick in Argentina's Group J opener against Algeria.

He might not score three again versus Austria, but he's certainly the top candidate to find the back of the net.

Argentina vs. Austria Info

Date: Monday, June 22

Start Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: Fox One or FoxSports.com

Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook): Argentina (-190; bet $190 to win $100); Austria (+550; bet $100 to win $550); Draw (+310)

It's going to be hard for Messi to top his first 2026 World Cup performance.

However, if there's anyone who can score back-to-back hat-tricks at a World Cup, it's Messi without any pressure on him.

The global legend looked like a freer version of himself against Algeria. He wasn't playing with the weight of Argentina on him after he won the 2022 World Cup.

It's a dangerous thought for any of Messi's opponents that could find another gear and be even more of a goal-scoring threat than he already was.

Argentina, as a whole, could not have asked for a better World Cup start. Its star player created a ton of fireworks, the overall attack played well and Emiliano Martinez kept a clean sheet.

Austria poses a different threat because of how it typically likes to play. It will try to press to create turnovers that become attacking chances.

Austria had plenty of success with that in its 3-0 win over Jordan, but doing that against Messi and Co. is a much more difficult task.

The game might be more open because of the high-octane style Austria wants to play. We might not see a team defend for 90 minutes in a low block, like other opponents have done against pre-tournament favorites.

Austria resides in the second tier of European sides. There's no doubt Argentina caught a break with its draw.

Austria has a bunch of players schooled in the German Bundesliga, like Marcel Sabitzer and Romano Schmid, but it doesn't have the high level of quality that the Argentina squad possesses.

Argentina is simply too talented for Austria to handle, and based off how the Albiceleste played in its opener, it's hard to imagine a let off at any point on Monday at AT&T Stadium.

If Argentina wins, it secures first place in Group J on the head-to-head tiebreaker. Any other result allows for Group J to go down to Matchday 3.