World Cup: A host of Bundesliga stars tog out as Austria face Messi's Argentina

Ralf Rangnick's Austria have been tasked with a difficult Group J test against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. The reigning champions, led by Lionel Messi, will face off against a handful of Austria's finest Bundesliga stars.

Before the final pair of group games, a win here for either side would effectively guarantee top spot ahead of the knockout rounds. The only exception to that outcome depends on how the clash of Jordan vs. Algeria pans out. 

As is often the case, Austria boast a wealth of talent from the German topflight. Six players in total from the Bundesliga start for this 18:00 CET kick-off in Dallas, starting with Mainz 05 loanee Stefan Posch at right-back.

Bayern Munich's Konrad Laimer drops into a left-back role as Mwene misses out. RB Leipzig duo Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald play either side of Borussia Dortmund's Marcel Sabitzer in the middle third. 

Moving into the attack, Romano Schmid of Werder Bremen keeps his place. Other former Bundesliga names in their lineup include David Alaba, Kevin Danso, Marko Arnautovic and Paul Wanner.

Worth noting, a goal of any kind for Lionel Messi this evening would see the Argentine surpass Miroslav Klose's record. Messi pulled level on 16 goals thanks to his hattrick against Algeria on Matchday 1 last week.

Confirmed Argentina vs. Austria lineups:

Argentina (4-4-2): E. Martinez – Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina – DePaul, MacAllister, Fernandez, Almada – Messi, La. Martinez

Austria (4-3-3): A. Schlager – Posch, Danso, Alaba, Laimer – Seiwald, Sabitzer, X. Schlager – Schmid, Arnautovic, Wanner