“Our group is good, and facing Argentina greatly motivates us as they are the defending champions.”

The tournament will be held across the USA, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, with 16 more teams added to the global showpiece, up from the 32 nations involved in 2022.

Scotland's 28-year wait to return to football's biggest stage exploded into kilted chaos at a Glasgow pub, where one supporter dressed as Batman captured the national mood.

For the first time in history, the world’s biggest football event will be hosted by three North American countries -- the United States, Canada, and Mexico -- with 48 teams participating.

The tiny island nation, a self-governing part of the Netherlands with a population of little more than 150,000, is the smallest country to qualify for football's premier showcase.

The first round follows a familiar format, with 12 groups of four or five teams, and the section winners securing World Cup slots

"The plan I had in mind for this week will ultimately change somewhat because of this," coach Ronald Koeman told a Monday press conference. "He won't start, no."

The win secured the top spot for Argentina in the CONMEBOL standings.

"We'll beat them up... Absolutely! Beat them up! On the pitch and off the pitch if we have to," Raphinha said in an interview on "Romario TV" with the Brazilian great.

Argentina's remarkable home form bolsters their confidence: seven wins in their last eight home qualifiers, including 11 clean sheets in 12. They also hold a four-match unbeaten streak against Brazil, highlighted by a 1-0 win in Rio de Janeiro last year, thanks to Nicolas Otamendi.

Hard Rock Stadium will host seven games at the 2026 World Cup which the USA is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.