Argentina and Algeria open Group J on 17 June 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the defending world champions taking on a side returning to the tournament after a long absence. Argentina are ranked in the world's top two, carry the extra burden of a title defence and cannot afford a slow start here. Algeria, absent from the World Cup for years, are back in a group that also includes Austria and Jordan.
Lionel Scaloni and Vladimir Petkovic meet for the first time as managers. Scaloni has been in charge since 2018 and has built a win rate north of 70% through a system that delivered the last World Cup triumph. Petkovic took over in February 2024 on a contract through 2028 and has gone 21 wins from 28 matches before this tournament.
Argentina arrive in strong form having won all their pre tournament friendlies, beating Iceland 3-0, Honduras 2-0, Zambia 5-0 and Mauritania 2-1, with their CONMEBOL qualifying campaign equally convincing. Algeria arrive having beaten the Netherlands and Bolivia 4-0 in friendlies, with an AFCON quarter final exit to Nigeria the one blemish on an otherwise solid run under Petkovic.
Argentina have some minor fitness worries going in, with Lionel Messi carrying a mild hamstring strain, Julian Alvarez an ankle issue and Emiliano Martinez a fractured finger, though all three are expected to be available. Nicolas Tagliafico is out with a calf strain, while Nico Gonzalez and Leandro Paredes are possible returns. Their expected 4-3-3 puts Martinez in goal behind a back four of Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero (or Otamendi), Lisandro Martinez (or Facundo Medina) and Valentin Barco, with Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, Thiago Almada or Giovani Lo Celso in support and Messi alongside Lautaro Martinez or Alvarez up front.
Algeria are likely to be without Ramy Bensebaini due to an ankle injury. Their probable XI has Luca Zidane or Oussama Benbot in goal, a back four of Achref Abada or Belghali, Aissa Mandi and Rayan Ait-Nouri, with Nabil Bentaleb or Hicham Boudaoui in midfield alongside Ibrahim Maza and an attack built around Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amoura or Nadir Benbouali.
Argentina hold the ball, press high and rely on Messi's roaming creativity to unlock defences through a mobile forward line, with Mac Allister and Fernandez as the engine room. Algeria under Petkovic are more cautious and will look to absorb pressure and counter. The central battle is Messi against Algeria's defensive structure, led by Bentaleb, Mandi and Ait-Nouri: if they can funnel him into predictable positions Algeria have a chance but if Messi finds room to roam the game could open up quickly. On the other flank, Mahrez against Molina or Barco is the matchup worth watching and the two sides have met infrequently enough in friendlies that there is little competitive history to draw from.
Argentina should win this comfortably enough, though Mahrez and Maza can hurt them on the counter. If Argentina start managing the game after going ahead rather than pressing for a third, there is a real window for a counter attacking goal. A 2-1 feels right, with Algeria getting one back against a side that eases off once they have their lead.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
