Argentina Meets Algeria in Kansas City as 2026 World Cup Group J Opens
Argentina meets Algeria on Tuesday at 8 p.m. local time in Kansas City Stadium in the opening match of Group J. The top two teams from the group advance along with the eight best third-placed sides from the 12 groups.
ESPNM. local time at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri. Lionel Messi has recovered from hamstring issues and will start for Argentina against Algeria.
Messi will make his 200th international appearance and his record 27th World Cup match appearance, becoming the first player to appear in six editions of the tournament. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni must decide whether to start fit-again Cristian Romero in central defense alongside Nicolas Otamendi or Lisandro Martinez. Left back Nicolas Tagliafico is out with a calf injury.
A goalkeeper returns after recovering from a broken finger. Algeria will be without defender Ramy Bensebaini due to an ankle injury. Argentina's other Group J opponents are Austria and Jordan.
The top two teams from Group J advance along with the eight best third-placed sides from the 12 groups. Algeria qualified for the 2026 World Cup with eight wins. Their final group match is against Austria on June 27.
Argentina enter as favorites after winning their last six World Cup matches against African opponents. 2 percent chance of victory against Algeria.
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