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The final of the previous World Cup marked the peak of one of football’s most iconic careers.

Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient and serial champion in club competitions, finally achieved his ultimate triumph as Argentina’s captain and talisman. Having lifted the World Cup trophy, the heir to Diego Maradona’s legacy fulfilled his long-awaited promise.

The 2026 World Cup presents another opportunity for 38-year-old Messi to further enhance his glittering legacy. Argentina will begin their title defence with a demanding opening fixture against Algeria at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Argentina WIN - 2/5

Draw - 16/5

Algeria WIN - 13/2

Group J is not expected to pose a major threat to Messi’s likely final World Cup appearance. Algeria, however, will see their opening fixture as a chance to cause an upset—similar to what Saudi Arabia achieved against Argentina four years ago. Still, four points should be sufficient for progress.

The group also features Austria and World Cup debutants Jordan, making it a manageable draw for both Argentina and Algeria. Nonetheless, both sides will aim to gain early momentum from their first game.

Argentina triumphed in the only previous encounter between the two sides, winning a thrilling 4-3 friendly in 2007. Algeria later qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 and have since developed significantly, despite some setbacks along the way.

The Greens, who lifted the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2019, missed the last two World Cups but secured qualification convincingly this time. Under Bosnian head coach Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria won eight of their ten qualifying matches.

During the CAF qualification campaign, Mohamed Amoura led the scoring charts with 10 goals. As Algeria prepare for their fifth World Cup appearance, the 26-year-old forward and team captain Riyad Mahrez—formerly of Leicester City and Manchester City—will be expected to deliver on their potential.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni commands an exceptional squad brimming with world-class talent, but his team continues to rely on Messi’s creativity and leadership to overcome tough opponents. Their opening clash with Algeria could prove to be one such test.

The reigning three-time world champions are well-acquainted with this stage. Argentina have qualified for every World Cup since 1970 and have only once been knocked out in the group phase.

Fans can watch the Argentina vs Algeria encounter from Group J of the 2026 World Cup live and free. Full broadcast details are available in our viewing guide.

The game will be shown live on ITV in the United Kingdom, FOX in the United States, and SBS in Australia.

What’s your prediction for Argentina vs Algeria? Could Algeria spring a surprise? Share your thoughts below...

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