Argentina vs Algeria LIVE: Lionel Messi starts as reigning champions get World Cup campaign underway

In partnership with

The Independent

·16 de junio de 2026

Argentina vs Algeria LIVE: Lionel Messi starts as reigning champions get World Cup campaign underway

Argentina get their World Cup defence underway against Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday night.

Three and a half years after Lionel Messi guided Argentina to a glorious third World Cup triumph in Qatar, the South American side begin their 2026 tournament as the top-seeded favourites in Group J.

OneFootball Videos

Lionel Scaloni’s men topped South American qualifying with 12 wins from 18 games and also won the 2024 Copa America, while their opponents in this Group J opener qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2014 as winners of CAF Group G.

Having reached the quarter-finals at last year’s Afcon - and with vivid memories of the round of 16 in their last appearance at this tournament - Vladimir Petkovic’s side are certainly a dark horse to look out for in this group.