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.
Argentina also boast the likes of Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister and Emiliano Martinez in their ranks. They topped South American qualifying with 12 wins from 18 games and also won the 2024 Copa America.
As for Algeria, their captain and star player remains Riyad Mahrez. The ex-Manchester City and Leicester winger is at Al-Ahli now but, at 35, is still going strong and has more than 100 caps to his name.
Here’s everything you need to know about this World Cup 2026 game:
When is Argentina v Algeria?
Argentina face Algeria at 2am BST on Wednesday 17 June (8pm CT, Tuesday 17 June) at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on ITV 1, ITV X, STV and STV Player with coverage starting at 1:15am BST. It can also be live streamed on ITVX.
Team news
Argentina left back Nicolas Tagliafico has been ruled out of this match after straining his calf in a warm-up game against Honduras, but Leandro Paredes and Nico Gonzalez are both close to full fitness after muscular problems.
Algeria’s Ramy Bensebaini, who can play left back or centre back, is out with an ankle injury. Otherwise, the underdogs have a full bill of health.
Predicted line-ups
Argentina XI: Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Alvarez
Algeria XI: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Chergui, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri
Latest odds
Argentina – 2/5
Draw – 19/5
Algeria – 17/2
