Competition
Lionel Messi and Argentina arrive in Kansas City fully focused on three Group J points
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The final of the last World Cup was the pinnacle of one of the greatest football careers of all time.
Lionel Messi , an eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or and a serial champion in club football, finally had his crowning moment as the captain and talisman of Argentina . Now a World Cup winner, Diego Maradona 's heir had fulfilled his promise.
World Cup 2026 is a chance for 38-year-old Messi to add yet more shine to a glittering contribution to the game. Argentina start their World Cup defence with a notably tricky opener against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
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Argentina vs Algeria betting odds from BOYLE Sports
Argentina WIN - 2/5
Draw - 16/5
Algeria WIN - 13/2
Argentina vs Algeria prediction
Group J isn't expected to be much of an obstacle to Messi's probable World Cup swansong. Algeria consider the first fixture an opportunity to claim a scalp, as Saudi Arabia did against the same opposition four years ago, but four points will be enough.
A group completed by Austria and World Cup debutants Jordan should be navigable for both Argentina and Algeria but both will want to take a chunk out of the challenge in their first game.
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Argentina won the only previous meeting of these teams, edging a 4-3 friendly thriller in 2007. Algeria would soon qualify for their first World Cup since 1986 and have progressed in the ensuing 16 years, albeit with some significant blemishes on their record.
The Greens, Africa Cup of Nations winners in 2019, failed to qualify for the last two World Cups but did so emphatically this time around. Under Bosnian manager Vladimir Petkovic, they won eight of their 10 qualifying matches.
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With 10 goals, Mohamed Amoura was the leading scorer in CAF qualification. As Algeria begin their fifth World Cup, the 26-year-old and his captain, former Leicester City and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, will need to live up to their billing.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has a wealth of quality at his disposal but still looks to Messi to unlock tight fixtures against difficult opponents. Their opener against Algeria might be exactly that.
The reigning and three-time world champions know this stage as well as anyone. Argentina haven't failed to qualify for a World Cup since 1970 and have been eliminated at the group stage only once.
Score prediction: Argentina 1-0 Algeria
How to watch Argentina vs Algeria
You can watch Argentina vs Algeria in Group J of World Cup 2026 for free. All the information you need is in our how to watch guide .
The match will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK, FOX in the United States and SBS in Australia.
What's your Argentina vs Algeria prediction? Will Algeria deliver a shock? Let us know below...
Chris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review . He supports Coventry Sphinx.
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