FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup HUB
Previews, Stats & Predictions
The Stats Zone
FIFA World Cup International Friendlies UEFA Champions League UEFA Conference League CONCACAF Champions Cup Indian Super League English Premier League French Ligue 1 Spanish Primera German Bundesliga Italian Serie A English Championship English League One English League Two Saudi Pro League American MLS Australian A-League CAF Champions League UEFA Europa League UEFA Women's Champions League German DFB-Pokal Coupe de France Taca de Portugal Swiss Cup Turkish Cup Belgian Cup Danish Cup English National League Austrian Cup English FA Cup AFC Champions League Elite Dutch KNVB Cup World Cup Qualifiers FIFA Series Copa del Rey Coppa Italia Carabao Cup Recopa Sudamericana Copa Libertadores UEFA Super Cup CONCACAF Leagues Cup

Argentina vs Algeria Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026

by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
Argentina vs Algeria Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026
Post Share

Check out our dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 hub! Here you can find expert match previews for every fixture at this summer's tournament in USA, Canada & Mexico. All-time records for all 48 nations, key betting stats, player bios, group standings, live scores & plenty more!

Below you can find key stats for Argentina vs Algeria. From historical trends to player milestones, we have you covered for every match at FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada & Mexico!

Click here to see our in-depth preview for this fixture, including team news, betting tips and FIFA World Cup Fantasy suggestions

  • This is the first FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Algeria. There has been just one previous friendly encounter, which Argentina won 4-3 in Barcelona in June 2007, Lionel Messi (then aged 19) scoring twice.
  • Holders Argentina were the first South American team to book a spot at FIFA World Cup 2026, having sealed qualification on 25 March 2025.
  • The 2026 finals represent Argentina’s 14th successive FIFA World Cup appearance, with their last absence from an edition of the competition being all the way back in 1970.
  • Argentina secured their third FIFA World Cup title in dramatic fashion against France in the final of Qatar 2022, winning an enthralling penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 draw.
  • Lionel Messi broke the record for most matches played at the FIFA World Cup in the 2022 final, his 26th appearance moving him one clear of Germany’s Lothar Matthaus, who had held the record since 1998.
  • Argentina have won their last six FIFA World Cup matches against African teams, in a run that began after their 1–0 defeat to Cameroon in the opening fixture of the 1990 finals.
  • Argentina have lost only two of their last 16 FIFA World Cup group matches (W11 D3).
  • Argentina’s defeat to Saudi Arabia in their Qatar 2022 opener was their first opening‑match loss at a FIFA World Cup since falling 1-0 to Cameroon in 1990. Between those defeats, their record in opening fixtures was W6 D1.
  • Argentina lost their opening match in both previous FIFA World Cup tournaments in which they entered as title‑holders, falling 1-0 to Belgium in 1982 and 1-0 to Cameroon in 1990.
  • Lionel Scaloni begins the 2026 tournament seeking to equal Vittorio Pozzo’s record as the only coach to win the FIFA World Cup twice; Pozzo achieved his titles with Italy in 1934 and 1938.
  • Argentina are seeking to become only the third nation to win consecutive FIFA World Cup titles, a feat previously achieved by Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
  • Algeria are competing at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 12 years. Overall, this is their fifth appearance at the finals, having participated in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014.
  • The North African nation produced their best performance in the competition at Brazil 2014, where they reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. Having held eventual champions Germany to a draw in regular time, Algeria ultimately bowed out 2-1 in extra-time after the round of 16.
  • Algeria became the first African team to score four goals in a FIFA World Cup match when they defeated Korea Republic 4-2 in the group stage at the 2014 edition; it is a record which still stands. 
  • Algeria booked their ticket to FIFA World Cup 2026 by claiming top spot in Group G in the CAF qualifying tournament with eight wins, one draw and only one defeat in ten matches. Mohamed Amoura struck ten goals in total to finish as the overall round’s top scorer.
  • Algeria face South American opposition at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since their 1-0 defeat to Brazil in the 1986 group stage; their only other meeting was a 3-2 win over Chile in the 1982 group stage.
  • Algeria have won only one of their last ten FIFA World Cup matches (D3 L6).
  • Algeria’s only previous victory in an opening match at a FIFA World Cup came in their debut campaign in 1982, when they defeated Germany FR (West Germany) 2–1.
  • Lionel Messi is one of three players at the 2026 finals participating in a record sixth FIFA World Cup — the others being Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal). Messi could become the first man to play in six World Cups, with Ochoa having made no appearances at Germany 2006 or South Africa 2010, and Ronaldo potentially playing his first match of the 2026 finals the day after Argentina’s opener.
  • 17 of Argentina’s triumphant squad at Qatar 2022 are in their delegation for the 2026 finals: Thiago Almada, Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Emiliano Martinez, Lautaro Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Lionel Messi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Exequiel Palacios, Leandro Paredes, Cristian Romero, Geronimo Rulli and Nicolas Tagliafico.
  • Nabil Bentaleb, Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi are the only players in Algeria’s squad with prior FIFA World Cup experience — all three featured at Brazil 2014.

If you know your midfield point-scorers from your differential defenders, why not challenge us at FIFA World Cup Fantasy! Click here to auto-join our official #WCFantasy mini-league

Football Latest