Messi, Argentina begin World Cup title defence against Algeria: All to know | World Cup 2026 News
Argentina to Face Algeria in World Cup 2026 Opener
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off a pivotal match for the defending champions Argentina as they face Algeria in the opening Group J fixture on Tuesday at Kansas City Stadium. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time (01:00 GMT on Wednesday).
This match marks the beginning of Argentina’s quest for a fourth World Cup title, following their victory in the dramatic 2022 Qatar World Cup. Many fans anticipate that the tournament will truly commence with Argentina’s participation, particularly given the presence of star player Lionel Messi.
Argentina, under the guidance of coach Lionel Scaloni, aims to become only the third nation to defend a World Cup title, joining the ranks of Italy and Brazil. The team enjoys recent success, having secured titles in the Copa America surrounding their 2022 World Cup win. However, questions loom regarding the current form and stamina of several key players.
The squad features 17 players from the Qatar 2022 team, maintaining a crucial level of continuity. Yet, the team’s average age of 29 raises concerns about the impact of declining individual performances and the potential waning of competitive hunger.
Historically, Argentina has not avoided slow starts, as demonstrated four years ago when they lost to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener. They will look to capitalize on a relatively favorable group comprising Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Messi, who will become the first player to compete in six World Cups, is recovering from injuries. Additionally, center-back Cristian Romero may be underprepared following a knee injury that kept him out of the Premier League season’s end.
Algeria Looks to Make Impact
Algeria enters the tournament with renewed ambition. The Fennecs have shed their past perception as an easy opponent for traditional powerhouses and are determined to exceed their third-place finish from the 2014 World Cup, when they came close to defeating Germany in the knockout stage.
The team, led by captain Riyad Mahrez and bolstered by 20-year-old forward Ibrahim Maza, qualified with a record of eight wins. Maza, dubbed “Mazadona,” is receiving significant attention as a potential breakout star.
Algeria’s qualification reflects their strength, as the team finished with a commendable record in preparation matches, including victories over the Netherlands and Bolivia.
Group J Overview
Argentina and Algeria are joined in Group J by Austria and Jordan. Each team will compete once against the others in the group, with the two top teams advancing to the round of 32, featuring an expanded knockout stage format.
Algerian fans are particularly looking forward to their final group stage match against Austria on June 27. This game holds historical significance for Algeria, stemming from the controversial “Disgrace of Gijon” incident in 1982.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
The upcoming match will be the second encounter between Argentina and Algeria, with their only previous meeting occurring in 2007. In that friendly, Messi scored twice, leading Argentina to a narrow victory.
Both teams enter the game in strong form. Argentina finished atop their qualifying group and won all five of their warm-up matches without significant challenge. Algeria, meanwhile, boasts an impressive record with the latest results building their confidence.
Team News
Messi will make his 200th international appearance as well as his 27th World Cup match. Despite missing some time due to injury, he is expected to start. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez has returned from an injury and will don the jersey number one for the match. Algeria will miss defender Ramy Bensebaini but has recovered a key player in goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
Predicted Lineups
Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez.
Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Chergui, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri.
Betting Predictions
Historically, Argentina holds an upper hand over African teams in World Cup matches. Per Opta projections, Argentina holds a 68.2% chance of winning, while Algeria’s prospects sit at 13.2% for an upset.
Fans can follow the match on Al Jazeera’s dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 page for updates, standings, and live commentary.
