Argentina get their World Cup 2026 campaign underway when they face Algeria on Wednesday at 2am (UK time).
La Albiceleste are the defending champions, having lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022. But they lost the opening game of that tournament, so know first-hand that it is more about how you finish the World Cup, as opposed to how you start it. Argentina are at the World Cup for the 14th consecutive tournament, and 19th overall, winning three of those.
Algeria are ending a two-tournament absence at the World Cup, having missed out in 2018 and 2022. This will be just their fifth World Cup overall, and they’ve only made it out of the group stage once more. Of course, their World Cup debut in 1982 was marred by the Disgrace of Gijon, in which they were eliminated in the group stage after West Germany and Austria played out a 1-0 game that allowed both teams to qualify at Algeria’s experience.
This will be just the second time Argentina and Algeria have faced off, with the South American side winning a friendly in 2007.
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Argentina vs Algeria team news
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni has utilised a two-man strike partnership in the buildup to the World Cup, but he may opt for a favoured 4-3-3 once the tournament actually starts. And there will be key personnel changes to the lineups from the pre-tournament friendlies. Leonardo Balerdi had to pull out of the squad through injury, replaced by Marcos Senesi. But he is unlikely to start. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero look set to be the first-choice centre-back partnership with everyone at full-fitness.
Nahuel Molina should return at right-back, with Facundo Medina and Nicolas Tagliafico set to battle it out on the left. Both will fancy their chances of starting, though Tagliafico has been the favourite outside of rotation. A return to the midfield three will see Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister joined by Enzo Fernandez. Argentina haven’t had the best buildup to the World Cup in terms of player availability, but they have their best names available when it matters.
Lionel Messi did not start either of Argentina’s pre-World Cup friendlies but he’ll be on the right-wing as he normally is. There’s no Argentina at the World Cup without Messi. Thiago Almada has been tipped to start on the left, but there’s a question of who will play through the middle. It’s a battle between Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, both of whom have had good seasons. But Alvarez may get the nod.
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Algeria team news
Algeria have also tested a few different systems in the buildup to the World Cup, and their squad allows them to be flexible. They do have a pretty settled core of players, though. Riyad Mahrez remains one of the first names on the team sheet and, like Messi, this looks set to be his final World Cup. But his inclusion on the right will not be a hindrance. Mahrez continues to perform at the high level and will link up well with Mohamed Amoura on the left. Amoura can play through the middle, and has down for Algeria, but Amine Gouiri looks set to lead the line. Ibrahim Maza and Houssem Aouar will battle it out for the No.10 spot.
Should Algeria stick with the 4-2-3-1, then Nabil Bentaleb is likely to partner Hicham Boudaoui in the double pivot. Bentaleb has recently taken his spot back in the team, having not played for Algeria since last October. The makeup of the Algerian defence could differ too. But Rayan Ait-Nouri is the undisputed first-choice left-back, while Rafik Belghali may win the battle on the right.
Vladimir Petkovic has tested a few centre-back pairings over the course of the year, but he does have a favourite. Ramy Bensebaini and Aissa Maini should start in the middle, adding experience to the backline. Luca Zidane has been Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since making his debut late last year, after switching international allegiance.
Argentina vs Algeria predicted lineups
Argentina (4-3-3): E Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li Martinez, Medina; Mac Allister, Paredes, Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez, Almada.
Algeria (4-2-3-1): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri.
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