Argentina kick off their World Cup against Algeria: all the build-up | OneFootball

The Argentina National Team and Algeria will face off this Tuesday from 10:00 p.m. at Kansas City Stadium in Matchday 1 of Group J of the 2026 World Cup. The team captained by Lionel Messi and coached by Lionel Scaloni gets its campaign underway in a new FIFA World Cup in search of back-to-back titles, after being crowned in Qatar four years ago. Check out the lineups, where to watch it live, and more.

Argentina’s lineup:

Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Algeria’s possible lineup:

Luca Zidane; Rafik Belghali, Aïssa Mandi, Samir Chergui, Rayan Aït-Nouri; Farés Chaibi, Hicham Boudaoui, Houssem Aouar; Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura. Coach: Vladimir Petkovic.

8:14 p.m. – Locker room ready in Kansas

Argentina will wear its traditional sky blue and white jersey in its debut against Algeria.

This is how Argentina’s locker room looks ahead of the match against Algeria.

8:00 p.m. – Argentina heads to Kansas City Stadium

The Argentina squad has already left for the stadium where it will make its World Cup debut against Algeria starting at 10:00 p.m.

7:54 p.m. – Szymon Marciniak will become the referee who has officiated Argentina the most at World Cups

With tonight’s match between La Albiceleste and Algeria, the Pole will referee our national team for the fourth time.

Szymon Marciniak, the referee of the Qatar 2022 final, will officiate Argentina’s debut at the 2026 World Cup (Getty Images)

7:33 p.m. – The gates of Arrowhead Stadium have opened

Two and a half hours before kickoff, the first fans are beginning to enter the stadium that will host Argentina’s debut.

The first fans to arrive at the Kansas stadium.

7:19 p.m. – Why will this be a special World Cup for Lautaro Martínez?

This tournament will be a special event for El Toro, who in 2022 ended up losing his place and failed to score despite La Albiceleste being crowned world champion. “Beyond the result, which collectively was magnificent, individually I didn’t arrive at the World Cup the way I wanted to, and now I have. That’s why I need to work and keep adding these minutes, which are always valuable”, the Bahía Blanca native told TyC Sports after the friendly against Honduras in which he scored a goal.

Due to Julián Álvarez’s problems with his left ankle, El Toro will start tonight. Will he be able to get rid of that thorn against Algeria?

The striker, the second-highest scorer for the Argentina national team in the Scaloni era, did not score in Qatar 2022 (Social media)

7:08 p.m. – Facundo Medina, the only World Cup debutant in Argentina’s starting eleven

The Marseille player will be the left back in Argentina’s debut against Algeria from 10:00 p.m.

Facundo Medina will be the only defender making his World Cup debut.

6:56 p.m. – Di María’s moving message before Argentina’s debut: “We’re with you until the end”

Fideo, retired from the national team since winning the 2024 Copa América, dedicated heartfelt words to his former teammates ahead of the opener against Algeria. “Now I know what it feels like to be just a fan,” he wrote.

Di María’s post on his Instagram account.

6:45 p.m. – Which Argentina players will wear special patches and what each one means

From Messi to Nico Paz, including Dibu Martínez, several La Albiceleste players will show unique details on their sleeves: a collectible trend that FIFA joined for this 2026 World Cup. More information.

The debut patch will be worn by 10 Argentina players (Carmen Mandato – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

6:39 p.m. – Molina or Montiel, the only doubt in Argentina’s lineup

Scaloni already has 10 of the 11 names for the World Cup debut against Algeria.

Lionel Scaloni is deciding Argentina’s starting team against Algeria.

6:33 p.m. – Balerdi spoke about his injury after Argentina’s message hours before the World Cup debut

The center back, who was withdrawn by Scaloni because of a soleus tear in his right leg, used his social media to speak out after the Albiceleste squad posed with a banner in support of him.

The photo of the Argentina players in support of Leo Balerdi

6:29 p.m. – Argentina fans traded punches with Algeria fans before the World Cup match

During Monday afternoon in Times Square, supporters wearing Albiceleste colors clashed with the Africans during a rally held in the heart of Manhattan.

6:25 p.m. – What time does Argentina vs. Algeria kick off in the 2026 World Cup?

6:15 p.m. – Kansas City Stadium ahead of Argentina vs. Algeria

The pitch looks in perfect condition hours before kickoff in Group J of the World Cup.

This is how the Kansas City Stadium pitch looks.

Head-to-head record: Argentina vs. Algeria

Algeria’s current form

With Riyad Mahrez as its star player, the Desert Foxes will look to cause an upset through quick transitions and the technical quality of their attackers, aspects they showed in the two previous friendlies against the Netherlands and Bolivia, which ended in 1-0 and 4-0 wins respectively.

Riyad Mahrez.

How Argentina comes into its World Cup debut

In the friendlies, which served as a testing ground for the coach, La Albiceleste picked up two wins: 2-0 against Honduras and a 3-0 thrashing of Iceland. The team’s performance improved steadily and ended up convincing in its showing against the European side.

Which stadium will host Argentina vs. Algeria

Argentina vs. Algeria will be played at Kansas City Stadium, where Argentina will be the home team.

Referee for Argentina vs. Algeria

For the match between Argentina and Algeria, the referee will be Szymon Marciniak.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.