Argentina and Algeria meet in their first encounter of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match kicks off on Wednesday, 17 June, at 2 AM (BST) at Arrowhead Stadium, United States.
Both nations enter the tournament with strong recent performances, setting the stage for a competitive opening match. This marks the first-ever meeting between Argentina and Algeria in the World Cup (besides a friendly game that Argentina won almost 20 years ago), suggesting a fascinating and unpredictable clash.
Continue reading to discover our expert predictions for this Argentina vs. Algeria encounter, details on where to watch the game, and the expected lineups.
Match Overview - Argentina vs. Algeria
- Argentina enters its World Cup 2026 opener with strong momentum, having secured eight wins from their last nine matches. They seek a winning start.
- Algeria also boasts formidable form, with only three defeats in their last 21 matches. This makes them a resilient opponent for the opener.
- This is the second meeting between these nations. Argentina won (4-3) one friendly match against Algeria almost 20 years ago .
Head-to-Head Record
- This World Cup opener marks the first-ever competitive encounter between the national teams of Argentina and Algeria.
- Argentina enters the tournament in excellent form, having secured victories in eight of their last nine matches across all competitions.
- Algeria are a resilient side, suffering only three losses in their last 21 games.
- Argentina’s attack has been potent, finding the back of the net 21 times over their last seven wins alone.
- For Algeria, forward Amoura is a key player to watch, having been involved in 14 goals in his last 10 appearances (10 goals, 4 assists).
Argentina's Excellent Form
Argentina enters the World Cup in formidable form, securing eight wins from their last nine matches across qualifiers and friendlies. Their only recent defeat was a narrow 1-0 loss to Ecuador, demonstrating strong consistency.
Their final preparations were flawless, achieving three friendly victories without conceding. They comfortably beat Zambia 5-0, Honduras 2-0, and Iceland 3-0, showcasing potent attacking play and building significant momentum for their opening group stage fixture.
The squad reported two injuries (Balerdi and Tagliafico), but is still more or less complete, even without them. This allows them to begin their campaign at full strength, capitalising on their excellent displays.
Algeria's Impressive Unbeaten Streak
Algeria arrives with impressive momentum, having lost only three times in their last 21 matches across all competitions. Their strong preparation includes recent friendly victories against Bolivia and the Netherlands, showcasing a well-drilled and confident side.
In their last major tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, they reached the quarter-finals before Nigeria eliminated them. Attacker Amoura is in exceptional form, contributing 10 goals and 4 assists in his last 10 appearances for the national team.
The team boasts a fully fit squad with no reported injuries ahead of this crucial opener. Their resilience, combined with Amoura’s attacking threat, suggests they possess the quality to challenge opponents and will be tough to overcome.
Argentina vs. Algeria Prediction: Favourites tipped for a comfortable win
Argentina enters their World Cup opener with impressive momentum, having won eight of their last nine fixtures. Their attack has been prolific in recent friendlies, making a match with over 2.5 goals and no draw a distinct possibility.
While Algeria’s own impressive unbeaten run makes them a tricky opponent, Argentina’s superior quality should shine through from the start. We expect the favourites to assert control early on, potentially leading the match at halftime.
Considering Argentina’s dominant form and potent attack, they are clear favourites to make a statement. Therefore, our main prediction is for Argentina to win by a margin of at least two goals to kickstart their campaign powerfully.
| Argentina x Algeria | |
| Over 2.5 goals and not a draw | 1.37000 10bet |
| Argentina to be winning at halftime | 1.88 BetMGM |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
Where to Watch Argentina vs. Algeria
Find out where to watch Argentina vs. Algeria live below:
- TV: STV Scotland, ITV 1 (GBR), ITV X (GBR), STV (GBR), UTV (GBR)
- Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), STV Player (GBR)
Argentina vs. Algeria Predicted Lineups
Heading into this opening World Cup 2026 clash, team selection will be crucial for setting the tone. The probable Argentina lineup suggests a strategic approach aimed at securing an early advantage in the group stage. On the other side, the expected Algeria lineup looks ready to compete, with no reported injuries hindering their preparation. These initial team sheets offer the first clues into how both sides will approach this important fixture, highlighting the key tactical matchups to watch for.
Argentina
E. Martínez; F. Medina, N. Otamendi, C. Romero, N. Molina; R. De Paul, E. Fernández, A. Mac Allister; L. Martínez, T. Almada, L. Messi.
Manager: Lionel Scaloni.
Algeria
L. Zidane; R. Ait-Nouri, R. Bensebaini, R. Belghali, J. Hadjam; A. Gouiri, H. Boudaoui, R. Mahrez, N. Bentaleb, I. Maza; M. Amoura.
Manager: Vladimir Petković.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: Argentina vs. Algeria
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 17/06/2026
- Kick-off: 2 AM (BST)
- Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, United States
- Broadcast: BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), STV Player (GBR), STV Scotland, ITV 1 (GBR), ITV X (GBR), STV (GBR), UTV (GBR).
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