Argentina v Algeria: Mahrez on bench for World Cup opener, Messi starts for world champions

In partnership with

OffsAIde

·17 juin 2026

Argentina v Algeria: Mahrez on bench for World Cup opener, Messi starts for world champions

Riyad Mahrez begins Algeria's World Cup campaign on the bench against Argentina, while Lionel Messi starts for the world champions.

According to L'Équipe, coach Vladimir Petkovic has chosen Anis Hadj Moussa on the right. The opener is in Kansas City on Tuesday, with kick-off at three am in France.

Vidéos OneFootball

Hadj Moussa, 24, of Feyenoord, is rewarded for recent form. He scored after coming on at half-time against the Netherlands, a 1-0 win, and Bolivia, a 4-0 victory, each time replacing the former Manchester City winger.

Argentina: E.Martinez, Montiel, Romero, Li. Martínez, F.Medina, De Paul, Enzo Fernández, A. Mac Allister, Almada, Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

Algeria: Zidane, Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri, Boudaoui, Bentaleb, Maza, Hadj Moussa, Gouiri, Chaibi.

Source: L'Équipe