The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off for Group J contenders Argentina and Algeria on 17 June, with both nations eager to lay down an early marker in what promises to be a competitive group. The reigning world champions face a challenging opening fixture against a highly-rated Algerian outfit.
The Stakes
This encounter represents the first step for both teams in their quest for World Cup glory. With zero points currently on the board for either side, a victory here would provide a significant boost, setting a positive tone for the remainder of their Group J campaign. Dropping points could put early pressure on either Argentina or Algeria, making this a pivotal match for their tournament aspirations.
Recent Form
Argentina arrive in North America in formidable form, having won all five of their most recent international fixtures. Lionel Scaloni's side has been particularly potent in attack, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one across these matches. Their recent 3-0 victory over Iceland and a 2-0 win against Honduras in warm-up friendlies underscore their readiness for the tournament.
Algeria also enters the World Cup with a strong run of results, securing three wins from their last five outings. The Desert Foxes demonstrated their attacking prowess with a convincing 4-0 win against Bolivia and a 1-0 triumph over the Netherlands in recent friendlies, alongside a goalless draw with Uruguay. Their only recent setback was a 0-2 loss to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Team News & Injuries
Argentina's preparations have seen some injury concerns, though many key players are now fit. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has recovered from a finger injury and is expected to start. Midfielder Leandro Paredes is also available after overcoming a hamstring issue. Captain Lionel Messi, who had muscle discomfort, played in the final friendly and confirmed he felt "very good". He is set to make his 200th international appearance.
However, left-back Nicolas Tagliafico has been ruled out of the opener with a calf injury, with Facundo Medina or Valentin Barco likely to deputise. Striker Julian Alvarez will also miss the match due to an ankle injury, meaning Lautaro Martinez is expected to lead the line. Defender Cristian Romero has returned to training after an injury, while Leonardo Balerdi was unfortunately ruled out of the tournament with a severe injury, leading to Marcos Senesi's call-up.
For Algeria, the main concern revolves around defender Ramy Bensebaini, who is likely to miss the opening fixture due to a lingering injury. Despite an earlier goalkeeping crisis, Luca Zidane is a strong contender to start between the sticks. Midfielder Ismael Bennacer is hoping to feature after a hamstring injury, and Samir Chergui is expected to be fit.
Predicted Line-ups & Score Prediction
Predicted Argentina XI (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada.
Predicted Algeria XI (4-3-3): Luca Zidane; Rafik Belghali, Aissa Mandi, Zineddine Belaïd, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Ismael Bennacer, Hicham Boudaoui, Fares Chaibi; Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Mohamed Amoura.
Argentina, as the reigning champions and with their array of attacking talent, will be favourites heading into this match. Algeria's recent form suggests they will be a resilient opponent, but the Albiceleste's experience and quality should see them through.
Score Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Algeria
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
