Argentina vs Algeria Match Details
Date | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
Kick-off | 02:00 BST |
Stadium | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group J |
Where to watch |
Argentina vs Algeria Match Odds
Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
Argentina to win | 21/50 |
Draw | 17/5 |
Algeria to win | 6/1 |
*all odds correct at the time of writing
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Argentina vs Algeria Prediction
Defending champions Argentina have been defensively superb in the build-up to the World Cup and they will be feeling confident of producing another masterclass at the back when facing Algeria in their Group J opener at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City.
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Argentina vs Algeria Match Preview
By James Mason
Aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup, Argentina's quest for glory begins with a Group J opener against Algeria at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Wednesday.
History may be against La Albiceleste, with Brazil and Italy the only nations to have ever retained the crown, but the South American giants head into the tournament in fantastic form and they will feel confident of getting off to a winning start in Missouri. Head coach Lionel Scaloni's side are on a seven-match winning streak and the most striking aspect of those victories has been the defensive performances, with six clean sheets recorded.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is an assured pair of hands and there is plenty of strength ahead of him, with Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Gonzalo Montiel to name a few of the talented defensive options. But it is not just those at the back who have impressed during this winning period, as the attacking flair has also been on full show with no fewer than 21 goals scored.
Captain Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, still has a significant influence on matches and he top-scored for his country during qualifying. he Inter Miami forward has plenty of support around him to help ease the scoring burden, too, with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both elite players who continue to deliver for club and country.
There looks to be great depth in Argentina's side and they have the quality to overcome Algeria, who are well organised but can struggle to display their best against the bigger nations. Algeria fell short of expectations in the Africa Cup of Nations, squeezing past DR Congo 1-0 after extra-time in the last 16 before falling to Nigeria 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
There is attacking talent in this side, specifically Mohamed Amoura who netted ten times during qualification and captain Riyad Mahrez, but chances will be hard to create against this high-class Argentina backline. Algeria are expected to find themselves on the back foot for large periods of this contest, forced to soak up pressure and expend energy in an attempt to stop Argentina's creative players from having an influence.
Given there were three red cards and two yellows in the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa, it appears the referees have a remit to clamp down on any infringements and the chances of some bookings at the Arrowhead Stadium look to be high. One player who could find himself in trouble is Algeria forward Anis Hadj Moussa, who has been booked in his last three competitive internationals and his ill-discipline may cost him again.
The 24-year-old received seven yellows and one red for Feyenoord this season and his eagerness to press and get stuck in could see his name jotted down by the referee.
Argentina vs Algeria Best Bets
Argentina to win to nil — 11/10
Argentina have won six of their last seven games to nil and that defensive resilience can see them past an Algeria side who have been blanked in two of their last five matches.
Anis Hadj Moussa to be shown a card — 29/10
Forward Anis Hadj Moussa was a card magnet for Feyenoord this season, picking up seven yellows and one red, while he has been cautioned in his last three competitive internationals for Algeria.
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Argentina vs Algeria Bet Builders
Bet Builder 1 — 20/1 (£10 returns £210.00)
Selection | Reasoning |
|---|---|
Lautaro Martinez anytime goalscorer | Martinez scored 17 goals to help Inter Milan win Serie A this season |
Ramy Bensebaini to be shown a card | Bensebaini picked up six yellow cards in just 21 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund this term |
One or both teams not to score | Eight of Argentina's last nine matches have seen just one team score |
Hicham Boudaoui over 0.5 fouls | Boudaoui has committed at least one foul in seven of his last ten games for Nice |
Bet Builder 2 — 3.35/1 (£10 returns £43.50)
Selection | Reasoning |
|---|---|
Argentina to win | Argentina have won seven consecutive matches heading into the World Cup |
Ramy Bensebaini over 0.5 fouls | Bensebaini has made at least one foul in his last four competitive internationals for Algeria |
Julian Alvarez anytime goalscorer | Alvarez has scored three goals in his last five appearances for Atletico Madrid |
Enzo Fernandez over 0.5 shots | Fernandez managed at least one shot in 30 of his 36 Premier League games for Chelsea in 2025-26 |
Argentina vs Algeria Player Picks
Enzo Fernandez over 1.5 shots — 22/25
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez had 72 shots in 36 Premier League matches for Chelsea this season, an average of two per game.
Julian Alvarez over 1.5 shots on target — 8/25
Julian Alvarez managed at least one shot on target in eight of his final nine appearances for Atletico Madrid this season and tends to play even more of a starring role on the international stage.
Anis Hadj Moussa to be shown a card — 29/10
Anis Hadj Moussa picked up seven yellows and one red for Feyenoord this season and has also been cautioned in his last three competitive matches for Algeria.
Thiago Almada to register an assist — 17/5
Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Thiago Almada has registered an assist in two of his last three competitive internationals for Argentina.
Ramy Bensebaini over 1.5 fouls — 8/13
Algeria defender Ramy Bensebaini committed at least one foul in 16 of his 21 Bundesliga outings for Borussia Dortmund this season and will have his work cut out against Lionel Messi and co.
Argentina vs Algeria Predicted Line-ups
Argentina (4-3-3) E. Martínez; N. Molina, C. Romero, N. Otamendi, N. Tagliafico; L. Paredes, A. Mac Allister, E. Fernández; L. Messi, J. Alvarez, T. Almada
Algeria (4-2-3-1) L. Zidane; R. Belghali, A. Mandi, R. Bensebaini, R. Aït-Nouri; R. Zerrouki, H. Boudaoui; R. Mahrez, I. Maza, F. Chaïbi; M. Amoura
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