Argentina vs Algeria Predictions: Favourites to triumph in Group J opener

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World champions Argentina will be eager to start this summer’s tournament in positive fashion and Ryan Murray expects them to overcome a dangerous Algerian outfit.

Lionel Messi and Argentina begin the defence of their crown in Kansas City

Argentina accumulated 38 points from their 18 World Cup qualifiers
Having delivered a near-perfect qualification campaign, Algeria are hopeful of advancing to the knockout rounds
Recommended bet: Argentina to win and Both Teams to Score @ 5/2

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Argentina were crowned world champions in Qatar in 2022 and they have retained a chunk of that squad alongside boss Lionel Scaloni for their defence of the trophy.

La Albiceleste have a familiar look and will be expectant of an opening win in Kansas, despite the presence of a potentially sticky opponent in Algeria.

Team News

Lionel Messi felt discomfort in his left hamstring during Inter Miami’s final MLS outing ahead of the World Cup break, but the Floridians later confirmed that their prized asset was merely suffering from muscle fatigue. The legendary forward subsequently netted in Argentina’s 3-0 friendly win over Iceland, at the same time quashing any lingering fitness concerns.

There are five Premier League representatives amongst the Argentinian ranks, but only one of these enjoyed a positive 2025-26 campaign. Emiliano Martinez recorded seven shutouts in 11 Europa League appearances, as Aston Villa claimed their first piece of continental silverware in more than four decades.

Defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero both spent a decent portion of the season on the sidelines through injury, while Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez would have expected to finish higher up the table with their respective club sides.

After fracturing his jaw and chin in April, it looked as if Luca Zidane – who is the son of 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine – might miss this summer’s tournament. However, the Granada goalkeeper will feature between the sticks for Algeria after making a speedy recovery.

Former Spurs midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is back in Vladimir Petkovic’s squad following seven months in the international wilderness, while 35-year-old Riyad Mahrez makes his second World Cup appearance more than a decade on from his tournament debut.

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The stats

Argentina racked up 31 goals during qualifying, which was more than any other team in the South American section.

Wednesday’s clash will see Lionel Messi claim his 200^th international cap, after netting 117 goals in his first 199 appearances for his country. Only four players have scored on more occasions at the World Cup.

Algeria found the net 24 times across their 10 qualifiers, but only managed to keep three clean sheets.

Les Fennecs last featured at a World Cup in 2014, when they were eliminated by eventual winners Germany at the last-16 stage.

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Prediction

Although many expect Argentina to register a convincing triumph at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, Algeria could prove to be a difficult opponent to overcome.

The North Africans only dropped points on two occasions throughout qualifying, suffering a shock defeat to Guinea in Algiers before playing out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture.

With plenty of attacking talent at their disposal, Algeria carry a genuine threat in the final third.

Wolfsburg’s Mohamed Amoura offers a goalscoring focal point up front, while skipper Mahrez and the highly rated Fares Chaibi provide creativity from the flanks.

Nevertheless, it’s difficult to predict anything other than an Argentina victory. La Albiceleste have retained their momentum following that landmark success in Qatar, breezing through qualifying and clinching a record-breaking 16^th Copa America before embarking on a run of seven consecutive friendly wins.

If Messi gets anywhere close to his imperious best, the 2022 World Cup winners have a genuine chance of defending their title.