2026 World Cup: Argentina vs. Algeria, Probable Lineups

The defending champions’ journey at the 2026 World Cup officially begins: Argentina, the reigning champion, will face Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with kickoff scheduled for 3 a.m. in Italy on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The match will be officiated by one of Europe’s most experienced referees, Marciniak of Poland.

A regular participant in the World Cup since 1974, Argentina won its third World Cup in Qatar, following victories on home soil in 1978 and in Mexico in 1986, led on the field by Diego Armando Maradona. As required by the regulations, even as defending champions, the Albiceleste had to go through the qualifiers, which they passed with ease: in the eighteen matches of the CONMEBOL group stage, Messi and his teammates earned a total of 38 points, nine more than second-place Ecuador.

Algeria’s path was also fairly straightforward, as they dominated their qualifying group, finishing seven points ahead of second-place Uganda. The Desert Foxes are making their fifth overall appearance, their first since 2014: in that tournament, they performed well, reaching the round of 16 where they gave the eventual champions, Germany, more than a few headaches, forcing them into extra time: only a last-minute strike by Mesut Özil in the 119th minute halted the Algerians’ run.

Probable Lineups

ARGENTINA (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, E. Fernandez; Messi, L. Martinez, Almada. Head Coach: Scaloni.

ALGERIA (4-2-3-1): Zidane; Abada, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait Nouri; Zerrouki, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Aouar, Amoura; Gouiri. Head Coach: Petkovic.