Ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, we here at For The Win are previewing some key teams to watch in this tournament. Next up is the Argentina women’s national team. You can see the full list of team previews and read about the USWNT here.
It’s World Cup time, and that means the top players in the world are getting ready for their sport’s biggest stage. The 2023 World Cup officially begins Thursday, July 20, including games featuring Australia and New Zealand, the two host countries.
Argentina, however, won’t play its first game in the group stage until Monday, July 24 against Italy. The team, nicknamed La Albiceleste, is looking to advance out of the group stage for the first time after losing a heartbreaker to England in 2019.
So as the tournament kicks off, here’s a look at what you need to know about Argentina in the 2023 World Cup.
RELATED: The complete USWNT schedule, from group stage to another possible final
Argentina's group and schedule
Argentina is in Group G, along with Sweden, South Africa and Italy, and it won’t be easy to advance out of this group. Here’s the group stage schedule for Argentina:
- July 24 vs. Italy | 2 a.m. ET on FS1
- July 28 vs. South Africa | 8 p.m. ET on FS1
- August 2 vs. Sweden | 3 a.m. ET on FOX
Key players for Argentina
Yamila Rodriguez: One of the youngest members of Team Argentina, this 25-year-old forward is expected to play a big role for La Albiceleste this summer, especially after an impressive Copa América performance when she scored a tournament-high six goals and won the Golden Boot. Also per FIFA, “she grabbed the equaliser 12 minutes from the end of the decisive clash with Paraguay (final result 3-1) which clinched qualification for Australia & New Zealand 2023.”
Estefanía Banini: A member of the Argentina women’s national team for more than a decade, the forward/midfielder currently plays for Atlético Madrid and has previously played for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL. Her first World Cup appearance was in 2019 as a captain, and she was named player of the match following a 0-0 draw with Japan. After a hiatus from the roster — consequences she’s said are the result of her fierce advocacy for equity in women’s soccer — she recently returned to the national team ahead of Copa América and helped the squad qualify for this summer’s World Cup. And she’s decidedly uninterested in being known as the “female Messi.”
Chiara Singarella: The only Team Argentina player who’s also currently playing American college soccer, forward/midfielder Singarella transferred in June to South Alabama from Kennesaw State after one season in which she started 10 games and notched three or more shots in four different games.
Argentina's recent World Cup history
Although Argentina is entering its fourth World Cup appearance, the team has never won a game nor advanced to the knockout stage. Despite disappointing outings in 2003 and 2007, things improved a little at the last World Cup when the team earned two draws before losing a close one to England.
In its first three World Cup appearances, Argentina has been outscored by a combined score of 37-5.
What the experts are saying about Team Argentina
Of course, Argentina will be looking to win its first World Cup match and survive the group stage for the first time in team history. But that’s obviously no easy feat.
[Coach Germán] Portanova’s challenge is to find an ideal lineup in a squad filled with veteran players such as goalkeeper Vanina Correa, who will turn 40 in August, and 32-year-old midfielder Estefanía Banini, who is considered Argentina’s best ever female player.
The Argentine squad will also be counting on youngsters like Sophia Braun, a defender who was born in the United States but chose to represent her mother’s country.
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