Argentina - Algeria: score, highlights and statistics

Argentina face Algeria in the opening match of Group J at the 2026 FIFA World Cup - the defending champions taking on a resurgent North African side that arrives in Kansas City on the back of a stunning pre-tournament win over the Netherlands.

Match Info: Argentina vs Algeria

Argentina vs Algeria kicks off on 17 June 2026 at 02:00 BST (01:00 UTC) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, USA, as part of Group J in the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage.

Where to Watch Argentina vs Algeria?

Viewers in the United States can catch the match on FOX on traditional television, while cord-cutters have several options: Foxsports.com, Fubo TV, Peacock, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo all carry the broadcast online, with Futbol de Primera Radio available for audio coverage.

In Argentina, the match is broadcast on DIRECTV Sports Argentina and TV Pública on television, and via DIRECTV GO online. Australian supporters can stream via SBS On Demand, New Zealanders on TVNZ+, and Canadians on TSN+. Mexican fans can access the game on VIX.

Across Europe, beIN SPORTS CONNECT F.R. serves French audiences, DAZN España covers Spain, and DAZN Italia is available for Italian viewers. Brazilian fans can stream on CazéTV. Polish supporters have the widest access: TVP 1 and TVP Sport on TV, plus sport.tvp.pl and the TVP Sport App for free online streaming.

Argentina vs Algeria - Match Preview

Argentina enter this clash as defending World Cup champions and FIFA's third-ranked side, with Lionel Messi leading a squad that aims to make history as the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the title.

Group J is one of the most compelling groups of the 2026 edition. Argentina's squad - featuring Julian Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez, and Messi himself - is widely regarded as one of the two or three strongest at the tournament. The 38-year-old captain entered preparations managing a left hamstring niggle, training separately during the squad's first Kansas City session, but was confirmed fit for the opener. Trainer Lionel Scaloni will nevertheless manage his minutes carefully across a congested schedule.

For Algeria, this is only their second World Cup appearance since 2014, and it comes loaded with meaning. Coach Vladimir Petkovic has built a squad that blends the experience of Riyad Mahrez - almost certainly playing in his last World Cup at 37 - with a new generation led by Mohamed Amoura and Anis Hadj Moussa. Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, starts in goal. A win in the opener would give Algeria a platform to escape the group for the first time since their historic 2014 run to the Round of 16.

Head-to-Head: Argentina vs Algeria

These two nations have met just once in all of football history - a seven-goal thriller in Barcelona in 2007 that Argentina won 4-3, with a young Lionel Messi scoring twice and Algeria showing they were far from passive opposition, leading the score twice before finally being overturned.

All head-to-head meetings between Argentina and Algeria:

• 5 June 2007 - International Friendly - Argentina 4:3 Algeria

Argentina - Recent Form

Argentina have won all 5 of their last 5 completed fixtures, scoring 9 goals and conceding just 1 - the best possible preparation for a team targeting back-to-back World Cup titles.

Their most convincing display came in a 5-0 demolition of Zambia in March 2026, with the squad performing fluidly as a collective unit. A tighter 2-1 win over Mauritania on 27 March showed the ability to grind out results when required. In November 2025, a 2-0 away victory against Angola reinforced their reliability in difficult conditions.

Messi's individual numbers remain extraordinary at 38: in the 2025 MLS season he became the fastest player in league history to reach 100 direct goal contributions, doing so in just 64 matches. He needs 3 more World Cup goals to break the all-time record of 16.

Algeria - Recent Form

Algeria's last 5 completed matches produced 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat - a return that gains extra weight given that one of those wins was a 1-0 result against the Netherlands in Rotterdam just two weeks before the World Cup.

Anis Hadj Moussa scored the only goal of that game in the 86th minute, stunning the Dutch on their home ground - a result that immediately elevated Algeria's reputation ahead of the tournament. Before that, in March 2026, Algeria beat Guatemala 7-0 in a dominant display, then held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw, showing defensive discipline against South American opposition. The only setback in this run was a 2-0 home defeat to Nigeria in January 2026.

Mahrez's creative role, combined with Amoura's pace and Hadj Moussa's late-game impact, gives Algeria 3 distinct attacking threats. Luca Zidane announced himself in goal against the Netherlands with a series of key saves, earning his place as first choice.

Facts and Statistics

5 facts to know ahead of Argentina vs Algeria:

• Argentina and Algeria have faced each other just 1 time in history - a 4-3 Argentine win in a 2007 Barcelona friendly that produced 7 goals.
• Lionel Messi appears in a record-equalling sixth World Cup and needs 3 goals to break the all-time scoring record of 16.
• Algeria beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Rotterdam in June 2026 - one of the most high-profile pre-tournament results of this World Cup cycle.
• Argentina scored 5 goals without reply against Zambia in March 2026 and have not lost any of their last 5 completed matches.
• Algeria's last World Cup appearance before 2026 was in 2014, when they reached the Round of 16 - their best-ever finish at the tournament.