Argentina vs Algeria - prediction, team news, lineups | World Cup 2026

Finally kicking disconnected their World Cup 2026 campaign, reigning champions Argentina volition commencement Group J by gathering Algeria successful Kansas City connected Tuesday.

La Albiceleste are attempting to go conscionable the 3rd federation to triumph back-to-back satellite titles, portion the Fennec Foxes simply privation to get retired of the group.

Match preview

Only Italy and Brazil person ever retained the World Cup, but Argentina purpose to articulation that elite nine by the extremity of July, arsenic they defend the planetary crown successful North America.

This year's variation marks their 14th consecutive appearance, aft they finished apical of CONMEBOL qualifying for the archetypal clip since 2014.

A memorable 4-1 triumph implicit Brazil successful Buenos Aires was without uncertainty the highlight, arsenic Lionel Scaloni's experienced squad comfortably topped the 10-team table.

Collecting 38 points from 18 games confirmed their place, portion inspirational skipper Lionel Messi claimed the aureate footwear with 8 goals crossed a marathon process.

Subsequent friendlies against little challenging opponents - specified arsenic Mauritania, Iceland and Puerto Rico - past produced 7 consecutive wins, with 21 goals scored and conscionable 1 conceded.

Now, their Group J opener awaits, and the past clip Argentina failed to find people successful their archetypal World Cup lucifer was backmost successful 1990, erstwhile they famously mislaid 1-0 to Cameroon.

Since then, the South American heavyweights person won each six consequent games against African opposition, which bodes good for their gathering with Algeria. 

Yet, aft unexpectedly losing to Saudi Arabia earlier uncovering the roadworthy to glory astatine Qatar 2022, Scaloni's broadside should instrumentality thing for granted.

These nations person lone met erstwhile before: a June 2007 friendly, won 4-3 by Argentina astatine Camp Nou, with Messi netting his archetypal planetary brace. 

This time, some volition beryllium vying with Austria and Jordan to assertion a top-two decorativeness successful Group J, which would warrant advancement done to the World Cup's knockout phase.

Ranked 28th by FIFA, Algeria are acceptable for a 5th quality astatine the finals, but their archetypal since 2014, erstwhile they progressed done the radical signifier for the archetypal and lone clip to date.

Now aiming to amended a humble grounds of 3 wins and lone 1 cleanable expanse from 13 World Cup matches, the Fennec Foxes secured their summons to North America successful immoderate style.

Algeria topped Group G successful the CAF qualifiers, suffering conscionable 1 decision and confirming their spot with 1 circular remaining - and lone 2 teams scored much goals crossed Africa.

While a quarter-final exit astatine this year's AFCON hinted astatine their potential, Vladimir Petkovic has since seen his broadside station immoderate promising results.

Following 2 March friendlies - a 7-0 rout of Guatemala and a goalless gully with Uruguay - they bushed the Netherlands and Bolivia earlier this period and person lone conceded doubly crossed their past six matches.

Argentina signifier (all competitions):

W W W W W W

Algeria signifier (all competitions):

W L W D W W

Team News

As ever, Argentina volition beryllium captained by Messi, who is acceptable to marque his 200th planetary quality - and his 27th astatine the World Cup. 

The Inter Miami antheral already holds that record, and having flooded a hamstring wounded helium volition present go the archetypal subordinate to enactment astatine six antithetic editions.

Qatar 2022 punishment leader and undisputed fig one, goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been cleared to play aft breaking a digit earlier the Europa League final.

Reserve midfielder Leandro Paredes and inferior antheral Nico Gonzalez are besides expected to retrieve from muscular problems, but Lyon left-back Nicolas Tagliafico has been ruled retired aft straining a calf against Honduras; either Facundo Medina oregon Valentin Barco could deputise.

Meanwhile, Algeria volition besides beryllium missing a left-sided defender, arsenic Ramy Bensebaini is inactive struggling with an ankle injury; Samir Chergui and Zineddine Belaid are vying to instrumentality his spot successful the starting XI.

Marseille striker Amine Gouiri was selected for the squad aft skipping AFCON with a enarthrosis issue, and helium is usually supported by Wolfsburg's Mohammed Amoura. 

In summation to laying connected 4 assists, the second top-scored successful the CAF qualifiers with 10 goals from arsenic galore games; seasoned winger Riyad Mahrez has been little productive of precocious but volition inactive skipper the side.

Argentina imaginable starting lineup:

E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, La. Martinez

Algeria imaginable starting lineup:

Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Chergui, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri

We say: Argentina 1-0 Algeria

This volition beryllium nary casual warm-up crippled for the reigning satellite champions, arsenic Argentina's toughest radical fixture could travel successful the opening round.

Although Algeria boast a highly talented squad, Scaloni's broadside person been rock-solid astatine the backmost successful caller months, truthful it volition beryllium a slim triumph for La Albiceleste. 

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.