The opening match of Group J sees reigning world champions Argentina begin their World Cup 2026 title defence against Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday.
Lionel Scaloni’s side arrive in North America among the favourites to lift the trophy once again after an impressive qualifying campaign and a lengthy unbeaten run in the build-up to the tournament.
Argentina topped the CONMEBOL standings, highlighted by a memorable 4-1 win over Brazil, and have since won seven consecutive matches while conceding just once.
The South Americans are chasing a place in history, aiming to become only the third nation after Brazil and Italy to retain the World Cup.
Algeria, meanwhile, are making their first World Cup appearance since 2014 after an impressive qualification campaign. Vladimir Petkovic’s side topped their CAF qualifying group and have shown encouraging form in recent months, recording victories over the Netherlands and Bolivia while conceding only twice across their last six matches.
The Fennec Foxes possess plenty of attacking quality through Riyad Mahrez, Mohammed Amoura and Amine Gouiri, and they will view this fixture as an opportunity to prove they can compete with one of the tournament favourites.
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World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria team news
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is expected to start after recovering from a hamstring issue, with the Inter Miami star set to become the first player to feature at six different World Cups.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been cleared to play after overcoming a finger injury, while Leandro Paredes and Nico Gonzalez are also expected to be available following recent muscular concerns.
The main absentee for Scaloni’s side is left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, who has been ruled out with a calf injury. Facundo Medina is expected to deputise on the left side of defence.
For Algeria, Ramy Bensebaini remains unavailable because of an ankle injury, meaning Samir Chergui could partner Aissa Mandi in central defence.
Amine Gouiri is fit after previous shoulder problems, while captain Riyad Mahrez and CAF qualifying top scorer Mohammed Amoura are both expected to start in attack.
Argentina v Algeria: World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups
Argentina starting XI: Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Algeria starting XI: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Chergui, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri
Where to watch Argentina v Algeria: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET on Tuesday / 18:00 PT on Tuesday). In the UK, live coverage is on ITV1.
Fans can stream the action on a vast range of devices through the ITVX app.
World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria stats
- Only Brazil (5) and Germany and Italy (4 each) have won the World Cup more often than Argentina (3), with no nation lifting the trophy on as many occasions as La Albiceleste since their first triumph in 1978
- Argentina could become the third team to win back-to-back titles, after Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962)
- They have qualified for their 19th World Cup, with this their 14th participation in a row as part of the third-longest current run, after Brazil (23) and Germany (19)
- The only occasion when Argentina failed to advance from the group stage across their last 14 World Cup appearances was in 2002 under Marcelo Bielsa
- Lionel Messi holds the all-time record for most World Cup appearances, with 26 matches played
- (13 goals, 8 assists). In 2022, he scored or assisted 10 of Argentina’s 15 goals (7 goals, 3 assists)
- Lionel Scaloni is the only Argentina head coach to win both the World Cup (2022) and the
- Copa America (2021, 2024), as well as being the first to lead Argentina at two consecutive World Cup tournaments since Carlos Bilardo, who won the competition in 1986 and finished as runner-up in 1990
- This is Algeria’s fifth appearance at the finals and their first since 2014, with the World Cup in Brazil representing the only time they have progressed past the first round
- Algeria won two of their first three matches at the World Cup in 1982 but have been victorious in one of their 10 such matches since then, beating Korea Republic 4-2 in the group stage in 2014
- They have recorded one clean sheet in their 13 World Cup matches, sharing a 0-0 draw with England in 2010
- With eight wins in qualifying, Algeria achieved their highest such tally in a single campaign, surpassing their seven victories in 2010
- Mohammed Amoura was the top scorer in African qualifying, netting 10 goals in 10 matches and being involved in 58% of Algeria’s goals, scoring 10 and assisting four of their 24
- Vladimir Petkovic previously led Switzerland to the round of 16 in 2018 and is the second Bosnian to take charge of Algeria at a World Cup, after Vahid Halilhodzic in 2014
World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria prediction
Algeria have enough quality to make life difficult for the reigning champions and should be one of Argentina’s toughest group-stage opponents.
However, Scaloni’s side have been exceptionally strong defensively in recent months and possess the experience required to navigate a potentially awkward opening fixture.
Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Algeria
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