Argentina arrives in Kansas City to prepare for World Cup title defense
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: May 31, 2026, 6:25 PM
Last updated May 31, 2026
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion, has arrived in Kansas City to begin preparations for its title defense. The team landed following an 11-hour flight from Ezeiza International Airport, touching down just after 11 a.m. local time. The charter flight number 1978 commemorates Argentina's victory as host nation in the 1978 World Cup. Argentina's first match in the upcoming tournament is scheduled against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium. This trip marks the team's early steps toward defense of their championship title.
- •Argentina arrived in Kansas City on May 31.
- •Flight 1978 honored the 1978 World Cup victory.
- •The team prepares for a match against Algeria on June 16.
- •Arrowhead Stadium will host the opening game.
- 7:04 PMESPN Soccer — Messi, Argentina land in U.S. on custom '1978' jet...
- 5:11 PMYahoo Sports — Flight 1978 and Messi’s No 10: Argentina’s arrival in US doubles as tribute to its World Cup success
"Reigning World Cup champion Argentina arrived in Kansas City on Sunday to begin p reparing for its title defense, which starts with a match against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL's Chiefs. The 11-hour flight covering more than 5,500 miles from Ezeiza International Airport touched down in Missouri just after 11 a.m. local time. The flight number for the Aerolineas Argentinas charter was 1978, an homage to the 1978 World Cup that Argentina won as the host nation over the Netherlands before more than 71,000 fans at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires.
"Reigning World Cup champions Argentina arrived here on Sunday to begin preparing for their title defense, which starts with a match against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL's Chiefs.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerMay 31, 2026, 7:04 PMMessi, Argentina land in U.S. on custom '1978' jet...
Reigning World Cup champions Argentina arrived here on Sunday to begin preparing for their title defense, which starts with a match against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL's Chiefs.
- Yahoo SportsMay 31, 2026, 5:11 PMFlight 1978 and Messi’s No 10: Argentina’s arrival in US doubles as tribute to its World Cup success
Reigning World Cup champion Argentina arrived in Kansas City on Sunday to begin p reparing for its title defense, which starts with a match against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL's Chiefs. The 11-hour flight covering more than 5,500 miles from Ezeiza International Airport touched down in Missouri just after 11 a.m. local time. The flight number for the Aerolineas Argentinas charter was 1978, an homage to the 1978 World Cup that Argentina won as the host nation over the Netherlands before more than 71,000 fans at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires.
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