Argentina vs Algeria Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Reigning world and double South American champions Argentina kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against an intriguing Algeria side in Kansas City.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Argentina preview: International dominance
Argentina come into this one on the back of a continuation of their brilliant performances and results in the last half a decade or so, dominating CONMEBOL qualification for this tournament by finishing at the top of the ten-team table with ease.
The now three-time world champions, under the management of Lionel Scaloni, perhaps also possess a bit more depth across the park, too, with some exciting young players having come through and they will believe they can raise their level from Qatar.
Argentina head into the tournament on the back of a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Honduras last week before then hammering an entertaining and improved Iceland side by three goals to nil.
Algeria preview: Tricky Algerians
There was a bit of pressure on former Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic after a disappointing CAF Africa Cup of Nations but, back at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014, the North Africans have stuck by the Bosnian coach.
The Algerians have an interesting squad with some recognisable faces, especially in the final third. They will believe, in an open group beyond Argentina, that they can cause a stir in North America.
Algeria have been impressive in their pre-tournament friendlies. The North Africans defeated the Netherlands in Rotterdam by a goal to nil before a 4-0 hammering of Bolivia last week.
Argentina team news: Building around Messi
Lionel Scaloni will again seek to build his Argentina side around their captain Lionel Messi with the likes of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez providing attacking support in front of a tenacious and aggressive midfield.
However, the South Americans are dealing with plenty of injury issues for this one. It appears as though Nicolas Tagliafico will miss the opening game at left-back after Leonardo Balerdi had to withdraw and be replaced by Marcos Senesi. Senesi's new Tottenham Hotspur teammate Cristian Romero appears to have fought his way back to fitness after missing the end of last season.
First-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has played when a major doubt a lot for Aston Villa this season and he faced another late test here but has overcome a finger injury. Leandro Paredes and Nicolas Gonzalez are expected to be available after muscular problems.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Barco; De Paul; Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi; Alvarez, La. Martinez
Unavailable: Tagliafico (Injured)
Questionable: Paredes (Fitness), Gonzalez (Injured)
Algeria team news: Bensebaini out
Algeria have showcased their technical quality in the final third but the North Africans have been dealt a major blow in defence as Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini now sidelined. The versatile defender, who has been key at centre-back for the Algerians, is unavailable for this one.
Algeria will be expected to continue with their 4-2-3-1 shape with Riyad Mahrez captaining on the right-wing. The form of Anis Hadj Moussa could well force him into the eleven, albeit it would be a tough call and he may still be used as an impact sub in order to accommodate both Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Belaid, Ait-Nouri; Zerrouki, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Aouar, Gouiri; Amoura
Unavailable: Bensebaini (Injured)
Questionable:
Argentina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Emiliano Martinez ($5.0m) – Goalkeeper
Lionel Messi ($10.0m) – Forward
Julian Alvarez ($8.6m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Julian Alvarez
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Free kicks: Lionel Messi
Corners: Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul
Algeria’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Rayan Ait-Nouri ($4.9m) – Defender
Fares Chaibi ($6.2m) – Midfielder
Riyad Mahrez ($6.5m) – Midfielder
Matchday 1 captain pick: Riyad Mahrez
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Riyad Mahrez, Nabil Bentaleb
Free kicks: Riyad Mahrez, Fares Chaibi
Corners: Riyad Mahrez, Fares Chaibi
Key stats
- 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.
- 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.
- 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’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’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.
- 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.
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Argentina vs Algeria prediction
The likes of Amine Gouiri and Riyad Mahrez, among a few others, will believe they can get at an Argentinian defence that, on paper, may have its fallibilities. That is especially the case given their impressive performances in the build-up to the tournament, showing they can mix it with a so-called 'big boy' in the Dutch as well as then hammering Bolivia to flex their own attacking muscle. That said, the general firepower, control and cohesion of the Argentinians marks them out as one of the leading pre-tournament favourites to defend their title this summer. It may be a fun watch for the neutral but Argentina will still be expected to come out on top at the Arrowhead Stadium.
Argentina vs Algeria betting tip: Argentina to win & both teams to score
