Argentina open their defence of the World Cup crown they won in Qatar four years ago tonight when they take on Algeria in Kansas City.
Lionel Scaloni’s men backed up their global success with another Copa America victory in 2024 and start this tournament as one of the favourites, although their challenge could depend on whether Lionel Messi has fully overcome the muscle fatigue that has blighted his build-up.
Algeria, meanwhile, are making their first World Cup appearance since 2014 after an impressive qualification campaign. Vladimir Petkovic’s side topped their CAF qualifying group and have shown encouraging form in recent months, recording victories over the Netherlands and Bolivia while conceding only twice across their last six matches.
The Fennec Foxes possess plenty of attacking quality through Riyad Mahrez, Mohammed Amoura and Amine Gouiri, and they will view this fixture as an opportunity to prove they can compete with one of the tournament favourites.
Where to watch Argentina v Algeria: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET on Tuesday / 18:00 PT on Tuesday). In the UK, live coverage is on ITV1.
Fans can stream the action on a vast range of devices through the ITVX app.
World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria stats
- Only Brazil (5) and Germany and Italy (4 each) have won the World Cup more often than Argentina (3), with no nation lifting the trophy on as many occasions as La Albiceleste since their first triumph in 1978
- Argentina could become the third team to win back-to-back titles, after Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962)
- They have qualified for their 19th World Cup, with this their 14th participation in a row as part of the third-longest current run, after Brazil (23) and Germany (19)
- The only occasion when Argentina failed to advance from the group stage across their last 14 World Cup appearances was in 2002 under Marcelo Bielsa
- Lionel Messi holds the all-time record for most World Cup appearances, with 26 matches played
- (13 goals, 8 assists). In 2022, he scored or assisted 10 of Argentina’s 15 goals (7 goals, 3 assists)
- Lionel Scaloni is the only Argentina head coach to win both the World Cup (2022) and the
- Copa America (2021, 2024), as well as being the first to lead Argentina at two consecutive World Cup tournaments since Carlos Bilardo, who won the competition in 1986 and finished as runner-up in 1990
- This is Algeria’s fifth appearance at the finals and their first since 2014, with the World Cup in Brazil representing the only time they have progressed past the first round
- Algeria won two of their first three matches at the World Cup in 1982 but have been victorious in one of their 10 such matches since then, beating Korea Republic 4-2 in the group stage in 2014
- They have recorded one clean sheet in their 13 World Cup matches, sharing a 0-0 draw with England in 2010
- With eight wins in qualifying, Algeria achieved their highest such tally in a single campaign, surpassing their seven victories in 2010
- Mohammed Amoura was the top scorer in African qualifying, netting 10 goals in 10 matches and being involved in 58% of Algeria’s goals, scoring 10 and assisting four of their 24
- Vladimir Petkovic previously led Switzerland to the round of 16 in 2018 and is the second Bosnian to take charge of Algeria at a World Cup, after Vahid Halilhodzic in 2014
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