World Cup Prediction: Argentina Face Tough Test Against Algeria

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Defending champions Argentina will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Algeria in the opening Group J match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, United States, on Wednesday, June 17.

La Albiceleste are aiming to become only the third nation to successfully defend a World Cup title, after Italy and Brazil, while Algeria are targeting a place in the knockout stage.

Argentina will make their 14th consecutive World Cup appearance after topping the CONMEBOL qualifying standings for the first time since 2014.

One highlight of their qualifying campaign was a commanding 4-1 victory over Brazil in Buenos Aires. Lionel Scaloni's side finished with 38 points from 18 matches, while captain Lionel Messi emerged as Argentina's top scorer during qualifying with eight goals.

According to Sports Mole, Argentina also enjoyed a strong run of results ahead of the tournament, winning seven consecutive friendlies against opponents including Mauritania, Iceland, and Puerto Rico. During that stretch, they scored 21 goals and conceded only once.

Argentina have a strong record in World Cup openers. Since suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the opening match of the 1990 World Cup, they have scored in every first match of the tournament. They have also won their last six World Cup matches against African opponents.

However, the reigning champions know better than most the risks of complacency. Their shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup remains a reminder that no opponent can be underestimated.

Argentina and Algeria have met only once before, in a friendly at Camp Nou in June 2007. Argentina won 4-3, with Messi scoring his first-ever brace for the national team.

In Group J, both sides will compete with Austria and Jordan for two places in the knockout stage.

Algeria enter the tournament hoping to match or improve on their best World Cup performance. Ranked 28th in the FIFA rankings, the Desert Foxes are making their fifth appearance at the finals and their first since 2014.

That tournament remains Algeria's most successful World Cup campaign, as they reached the knockout stage for the first time before losing to eventual champions Germany in the Round of 16. Overall, Algeria have recorded three wins and one clean sheet in 13 World Cup matches.

The North African side qualified for the 2026 tournament by winning Group G in the African qualifiers, suffering just one defeat and securing qualification before their final match.

Although Algeria were eliminated in the quarterfinals of this year's Africa Cup of Nations, Vladimir Petkovic's side have shown encouraging form. They thrashed Guatemala 7-0, held Uruguay to a goalless draw, and followed those performances with victories over the Netherlands and Bolivia.

Defensively, Algeria have also been impressive, conceding only two goals in their last six matches.

Current Team Conditions

As expected, Argentina will once again be led by Messi. The 39-year-old captain is set to make his 200th international appearance and his 27th World Cup match, extending his record as the player with the most appearances in the tournament's history.

Having recovered from a hamstring injury, the Inter Miami star is also poised to become the first player to feature in six different World Cup editions.

According to Sports Mole and Sports Illustrated, first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is expected to start despite suffering a finger injury before the Europa League final. The goalkeeper, who played a crucial role in Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, has been cleared by the medical team.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes and forward Nicolás González are also expected to recover from muscular issues in time for the match.

However, left-back Nicolás Tagliafico has been ruled out with a calf injury sustained during a match against Honduras. Facundo Medina and Valentín Barco are among the leading candidates to replace him.

Algeria also have injury concerns. Left-back Ramy Bensebaini is still recovering from an ankle injury, while Samir Chergui and Zineddine Belaid are available as defensive alternatives.

In attack, Marseille forward Amine Gouiri has returned to the squad after missing the Africa Cup of Nations due to a shoulder injury. He is expected to partner or support Wolfsburg striker Mohammed Amoura.

Amoura was one of Africa's standout performers during qualifying, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 10 matches. Veteran captain Riyad Mahrez remains a key figure for the team despite a decline in his recent goal output.

Predicted Lineups

Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez.

Algeria (4-2-3-1): Alexis Guendouz; Mohamed Belghali, Aïssa Mandi, Samir Chergui, Rayan Aït-Nouri; Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui; Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Mohammed Amoura; Amine Gouiri.

Prediction

Algeria are likely to provide one of Argentina's toughest tests in the group stage. The Desert Foxes arrive with a disciplined defense, strong recent form, and several attacking players capable of causing problems.

Nevertheless, Argentina's experience, squad depth, and defensive solidity under Scaloni make them clear favorites. With Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and a well-balanced midfield, the defending champions should have enough quality to begin their title defense with a victory.

Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Algeria.

Read: Can Senegal Repeat Their 2002 World Cup Shock Against France?

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