Argentina Begins World Cup 2026 Title Defence Against Algeria

Argentina began their World Cup title defence on June 16, 2026, as they faced Algeria in Kansas City. Lionel Messi, at 38 years old, was set to play in his sixth World Cup. The team, managed by Lionel Scaloni, aimed to become the first to win back-to-back tournaments in over 60 years. The match was crucial for Algeria as well, as they sought to reach the knockout stage for only the second time, competing in Group J alongside Austria and Jordan.

Kick-off was scheduled for 9 PM ET and 6 PM PT, with viewers able to watch on FOX or Fubo. Algeria's last appearance in the World Cup was in 2014, where they reached the round of 16 after finishing second in Group H, only to lose to Germany after extra time.

Algeria qualified for the World Cup smoothly, winning eight out of ten qualifying matches, losing only to Guinea once and drawing once as well. Despite a disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, they won all four friendly matches leading up to the tournament, including a notable victory over the Netherlands.

Algeria’s tactical formation typically employed a 4-3-3 structure, featuring Riyad Mahrez, a key player and leader, playing on the right wing. Alongside him was Mohamed Amoura, who could also function as a centre-forward.

Messi was set to achieve his 200th cap for Argentina if he played against Algeria, a milestone only reached by two other players in football history: Cristiano Ronaldo and Bader Al-Mutawa. This game also marked Messi’s 27th World Cup appearance, further solidifying his records in the tournament.

Lionel Scaloni's coaching emphasized a balanced approach, with a strong back four and central midfield dominance, showcasing talented European-based players in key positions. With Argentina entering this World Cup as defending champions, anticipation was high for how they would perform against Algeria and in the tournament overall.