Argentina got their title defence off to the perfect start as Lionel Messi proved yet again that age is just a number by scoring his first hat-trick at the World Cup and drawing level with Miorslav Klose’s record in a 3-0 victory over Algeria.
The early exchanges made it seem as though the contest would be a lot closer than it ended up as, first Messi then Fares Chaibi, each had a goal ruled out for offside. That was inside the first 10 minutes with both teams showing that the first goal could be a crucial one.
So of course it had to be scored by Messi. A wonderful individual run and strike saw him beat Luca Zidane in Algeria’s goal and from there the Argentine only grew in strengh. He looked hungry to score throughout and his desire was on display as he reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box for a tap-in.
That was his second goal, his third came around 15 minutes later when he drilled low and beat Zidane again from the edge of the box. That completed a first ever World Cup hat-trick for the master and kicked off Argentina’s title defence in style.
Follow live updates from the Group J clash with our liveblog below:
Argentina vs Algeria | World Cup LIVE
- Argentina swept Algeria aside in Group J opener | Live on ITV1
- 76' GOAL! Hat-trick complete as Messi curls in third (ARG 3-0 ALG)
- 60' GOAL! Messi reacts quickest to score tap in (ARG 2-0 ALG)
- 17' GOAL! Messi rockets Argentina into the lead (ARG 1-0 ALG)
- 8' DISALLOWED GOAL! Chaibi thinks he's put Algeria ahead but the goal is ruled out (ARG 0-0 ALG)
- 5' DISALLOWED GOAL! Messi strays offside before slotting home (ARG 0-0 ALG)
FA chief outlines stance on Gianni Infantino’s controversial run for Fifa re-election
07:30 , Miguel Delaney
The Football Association will decide their position on another term for Fifa president Gianni Infantino during a “board review... in due course”, according to chief executive Mark Bullingham.
A number of federations have already endorsed the controversial Swiss official, despite numerous issues around this World Cup and growing dissent within Fifa as a consequence.
FA chief outlines stance on Gianni Infantino’s controversial run for Fifa re-election
Canada refuses to allow Ghana’s Thomas Partey into country after visa appeal – despite being let in by US
07:00 , Mike Jones
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country's World Cup match against Panama after a Canadian court on Tuesday dismissed his appeal against being denied entry.
The 33-year-old had been refused a visa by the Canadian government last week, prompting his legal team to launch a last-minute challenge at the Federal Court in Ottawa.
Canada refuses to allow Ghana’s Thomas Partey into country after visa appeal
Michael Olise elevates Kylian Mbappe to new heights in frightening World Cup performance
06:30 , Mike Jones
Kylian Mbappe had just pulled level with Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer, but the glint in his eye revealed far more than the impressive finish. The French superstar whipped his head back towards a gleeful Michael Olise, grinning after the through ball that had just sliced Senegal open and banished a testing start to the World Cup 2026 for Les Bleus. It sent France on their way to a 3-1 victory, an imperfect performance but one that has confirmed perhaps the deadliest combination world football right now.
Olise elevates Mbappe to new heights with frightening World Cup performance
South Korea players boycott media after comments about captain spark backlash
06:00 , Mike Jones
South Korea’s World Cup 2026 preparations for their upcoming match against Mexico have been overshadowed by a rift between players and domestic media, following disparaging comments about captain Son Heung-min that were captured on camera.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) expressed its regret over "the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team’s training at the Guadalajara base camp."
South Korea players boycott media after comments about captain spark backlash
Thomas Tuchel explains why he called up Trevoh Chalobah to England’s World Cup squad
05:30 , Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel has explained his decision to call up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to England’s 2026 World Cup squad following an injury to full-back Tino Livramento.
Livramento sustained a calf injury in training at England’s Kansas City base over the weekend and had to withdraw from the squad.
Thomas Tuchel explains why he called up Trevoh Chalobah to England’s World Cup squad
Thomas Tuchel says World Cup opener against Croatia will ‘bring out the best’ in ‘brave’ England
05:00 , Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel has promised that England will be “brave” in this World Cup, and that a big “occasion” like that against Croatia “will bring out the best in us”.
England finally open their tournament in Dallas’ AT&T Stadium on Wednesday, although the German insisted that it is not yet big enough for him to sing the national anthem.
Tuchel says World Cup game against Croatia will ‘bring out best’ in ‘brave’ England
Magic Messi equals Klose’s record
04:55 , Mike Jones
Algeria were warned. A dainty pass slipped into the right side of the penalty area by Lautaro Martinez played Lionel Messi in on goal and he routinely found the back of the net by beating Luca Zidane on his near side. The crowd inside the Kansas City Stadium erupted in cheers only for the celebrations to get cut short as the football legend was ruled offside.
It was a chance taken just five minutes into Argentina’s World Cup opener and looked as though the 38-year-old had picked up exactly where he left off when winning the tournament four years ago. But it was not to be and Messi had to wait a further 12 minutes before making his mark on the 2026 edition of the World Cup.
Supplied by his close teammate Rodrigo de Paul, the little master spun towards goal before drawing a stunning effort from left-to-right, through the hands of Zidane and into the top, right corner with the pinpoint accuracy of his heydays. It is the type of goal that reminds the World Cup hopefuls that Messi may be heading into the twilight of his career but he retains all the prowess and skill of his younger self and, perhaps most importantly, the desire to achieve wonders on the biggest stage of all.
A second goal of the game caame from a fortuitous tap-in before a slick move late in the second half set him up for a driving finish that takes him to 16 goals across his six World Cup tournaments. That puts him level with record holder Miroslav Klose who he will surely surpass before this tournament is done.
Erling Haaland scores double on near-perfect World Cup debut
04:50 , Mike Jones
Having seen Mbappe run riot against Senegal, this generation’s other star striker clearly thought ‘anything you can do, I can do better’. Making his World Cup debut, Haaland scored twice in the first half as Norway beat a spirited Iraqi side 4-1 to end the first matchday top of Group I.
The 25-year-old is already Norway’s record goalscorer, now with 57 goals in 51 caps, and it looks like as well as duelling for top spot in Group I, he and Mbappe will be fighting for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
He only had 11 touches in the first half - the fewest of any player on the pitch - but two of them were goals. The first was a tap-in from a Moller Wolfe cutback, with the second also coming at close range as the Manchester City striker closed down Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan, who dawdled on the ball after a poor backpass by Zaid Tahseen and paid the price.
He missed a second-half chance for a hat-trick, too, and was narrowly denied an assist as he headed the ball across goal for Kristian Thorstvedt to bundle home Norway’s fourth on the night - but the strike was marked down as an Aymen Hussein home goal.
Injured Livramento replaced by Chalobah
04:45 , Mike Jones
Trevoh Chalobah has been called up to replace the injured Tino Livramento in England’s World Cup squad.
Livramento’s calf injury is an early blow for Thomas Tuchel’s preparations for the tournament, coming just one day before the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.
Tuchel was able to replace Newcastle full-back Livramento in the squad with a deadline of 9pm BST on Tuesday – 24 hours before England’s first game of the tournament – and Chelsea defender Chalobah was on his way to the United States on Tuesday. Chalobah will not be involved against Croatia, but will be available for subsequent group matches against Ghana and Panama.
Partey loses Canada visa appeal
04:40 , Mike Jones
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s match against Panama after a Canadian court on Tuesday dismissed his appeal against being denied entry.
The 33-year-old had been refused a visa by the Canadian government last week, prompting his legal team to launch a last-minute challenge at the Federal Court in Ottawa.
The Black Stars play Panama in their Group L match in Toronto on Wednesday. In dismissing the appeal, judge Roger Lafreniere wrote that Partey sought "extraordinary, mandatory interlocutory relief" that would have required Canada to set aside a "lawfully rendered inadmissibility finding and facilitate his entry for a specific event."
Former Arsenal midfielder Partey denies seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022, and is due to stand trial next year.
Mbappe double follows first major VAR controversy
04:35 , Mike Jones
While Mbappe became France’s all-time record goalscorer with his double in New Jersey, a decision not to award him a penalty when the match remained scoreless was questioned by many - including several referees themselves, according to the BBC’s resident official Darren Cann.
Iranian-Australian referee Alireza Faghani initially gave a corner – and then changed his decision to a goal-kick after watching replays. Mbappe had dribbled into the box where Senegal’s Sadio Mane slid in to make a tackle. As Mane reached Mbappe, the France captain touched the ball away from his opponent and then collapsed in a heap under Mane’s challenge.
Referee Faghani was sent to review the decision on his pitchside monitor by his VAR, and as he stepped back on to the pitch, French players and coaching staff began to celebrate. But instead of awarding a penalty, Faghani announced: “The attacker initiated the contact.”
How England plot to avenge years of heartbreak by Croatia in critical World Cup opener
04:30 , Miguel Delaney
In the final hours before England’s opening World Cup match, Thomas Tuchel hasn’t felt the need for any extra rousing speech about what the competition is. The manager senses the right mood among the squad as it is.
“They know,” Tuchel says. “We all know, and I think you have to grow into a tournament. At the moment, I don’t feel that any emotional fuel is needed to make everyone clear what is happening. But at the moment I see it even as an advantage that we’re focused on what we can actually influence. We don’t put it in the bigger picture - just put it where it is. We know,” he repeated.
How England plot to avenge years of heartbreak by Croatia in crucial World Cup opener
Messi earns plaudits
04:23 , Mike Jones
It should come as no surprise that Messi was given the Player of the Match award.
Three goals and one of the most influential performances of recent times is more than deserving of the honour.
Welcome back to the World Cup.
All about one man
04:19 , Mike Jones
The reaction to this match will only be about Lionel Messi.
After Argentina’s success in 2022, the rumour was that Messi had played his last World Cup.
That wasn’t the case and he’s shown that Argentina are serious about a back-to-back triumph.
Most goals scored at World Cups
04:15 , Mike Jones
16 - Miroslav Klose (Germany), Lionel Messi (Argentina)
15 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
14 - Gerd Muller (West Germany), Kylian Mbappe (France).
Argentina defeat Algeria thanks to Messi hat-trick
04:11 , Mike Jones
Lionel Messi equals World Cup top goalscorer record after stunning Argentina hat-trick
04:07 , Jack Rathborn
Lionel Messi equalled the all-time World Cup top goalscorer record after a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria in Kansas City.
The 38-year-old is now on 16 career World Cup goals, one clear of Brazil’s Ronaldo and level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose, after producing a sensational display for the world champions to inspire his side to a 3-0 lead at Arrowhead.
Lionel Messi equals World Cup top goalscorer record after Argentina hat-trick
Full-time! Argentina 3-0 Algeria
04:01 , Mike Jones
90+6 mins: There goes the full-time whistle.
Argentina have brushed Algeria aside thanks to the mastery of Messi.
Three goals and one disallowed came from his boots and at 38-years-old he proved just how good he still is.
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
03:55 , Mike Jones
90 mins: With Messi now off the pitch, the intensity has dropped.
Six minutes of added time to play.
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
03:49 , Mike Jones
85 mins: Chance for Algeria?
Mac Allister makes a foul just outside his own box. It’s a slight push but the referee hands a free kick to Algeria.
Riyad Mahrez, fresh off the bench, looks like he will take it. It’s within shooting distance and Mahrez smokes his effort into the wall.
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
03:44 , Mike Jones
80 mins: Messi won’t be breaking the record tonight as he is subbed off the pitch to a very loud round of applause.
He’s been the catalyst, talisman and the best player on the pitch tonight.
What a performance.
GOAL! Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Lionel Messi, 76')
03:41 , Mike Jones
Messi has his hat-trick now!
He starts the move by bringing the ball forward through the middle and sending it out to Gonzalez on the left.
Julian Alvarez makes a run deep into the box to draw away the defenders and Gonzalez returns the ball.
Messi takes a touch and drills it low into the nearest bottom corner.
Argentina 2-0 Algeria
03:37 , Mike Jones
73 mins: After another hydration break the game resumes with Algeria pushing forward.
They try to work the ball through the middle, then out to the left wing but there’s no way through the Argentine defence.
Argentina 2-0 Algeria
03:32 , Mike Jones
69 mins: The second goal has put the game to bed. Algeria haven’t showed enough that they can score twice against this Argentinian side.
They need to stem the momentum that is firmly with the World Champions.
Argentina 2-0 Algeria
03:29 , Mike Jones
66 mins: Denied!
Messi has never scored a World Cup hat-trick but he senses that he could get one today.
Mac Allister slips him and he holds off his marker before rattling a shot at goal and forcing a save out of Zidane!
GOAL! Argentina 2-0 Algeria (Lionel Messi, 60')
03:25 , Mike Jones
Another one!
There’s some fortune for Messi here. He plays a pass down the line then drifts into the box as the ball comes across to Alexis Mac Allister.
The midfielder gets hold of a fine shot from range and forces Zidane to palm the ball into the middle of the box.
Messi reacts the quickest and collects the ball before turning it home!
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
03:21 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Ibrahim Maza works into some space on the left edge of the box and finds the chance to shoot.
His effort doesn’t get past the first defender but Algeria are making moves. They’re build a bit of momentum here.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
03:17 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Save!
A great run from Lautaro Martinez sees the striker sprint in behind as Messi sends the ball through to him.
He gets his shot away but Zidane drops low and palms away the effort.
Good save from the Algerian goalkeeper.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
03:14 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Close!
With Algeria determined to go forward there is space for Argentina.
The sweep forward on the right and play the ball inside to Messi. He loets it run onto his left foot and drills a shot just over the crossbar!
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
03:11 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Argentina have made a switch at the break with Nahuel Molina coming on at right-back to replace Gonzalo Montiel.
Algeria look to start quickly and fizz a cross into the box from the left. Cristian Romero leaps highest to head it clear.
Second half! Argentina 1-0 Algeria
03:09 , Mike Jones
Algeria get the match back underway.
Why England are finally ready to deliver on their World Cup destiny
03:04 , Mike Jones
For some of the more superstitious England players, the timing was telling. The first night at their boutique Kansas City base coincided with game five of the NBA finals.
A ferocious storm was whirling amid tornado warnings, with Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti also attracting attention, but a few of them made sure to be in place for tip-off.
Why England are finally ready to deliver on their World Cup destiny
How Kylian Mbappe inspired France’s devastating win over Senegal – and broke records on the way
03:00 , Mike Jones
Now Kylian Mbappe has accelerated past Pele. Just Fontaine and Olivier Giroud, too. A record-breaking goal in French history came during a landmark brace in World Cups. More immediately, though, it gave France and Mbappe a winning start. His quest to play in a third World Cup final at just 27 is up and running.
How Mbappe inspired France’s devastating win over Senegal
Around the World Cup
02:56 , Mike Jones
Erling Haaland opened his World Cup account with a brace on his tournament debut as Norway rolled past Iraq 4-1 in Boston.
Norway, appearing in the tournament for the first time in 28 years, took the lead after 29 minutes as Sander Berge played David Moller Wolfe in on the left of the penalty area and his low cross was turned in at the back post by Haaland.
Erling Haaland scores twice on World Cup debut as Norway hammer Iraq
Half-time! Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:52 , Mike Jones
45+4 mins: Algeria have a few moments of joy in and around the Argentine box just on the stroke of half-time but they are unable to get a good shot at Emi Martinez.
The whistle goes to end the first half. As things stand, Algeria remain in the game. They can overcome a one goal deficit.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:48 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Four minutes to play at the end of the first half in Kansas.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:47 , Mike Jones
43 mins: Chaibi has been a bright spark for Algeria. He’s basically had all of the chances for them and takes another shot from range.
This one continues to rise and sails over the top but as long as he receives the ball the African team remain in the contest.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:43 , Mike Jones
40 mins: Closing in on the end of the first half with Algeria probing down the right.
The ball is flicked over the top and slipped round the corner by Nabil Bentaleb.
His pass finds Chaibi who turns it towards goal but is denied by Martinez in goal.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:42 , Mike Jones
37 mins: Messi’s goal is still the difference between the teams.
It is also an important one as Messi has become the first Argentine to score in five consecutive World Cup matches.
That is, of course, spread across the last two tournaments. Messi also has 14 World Cup goals now and is just three away from the overall record.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:36 , Mike Jones
32 mins: This is better from Algeria. They’ve found a bit more possession and are keeping the ball better.
Argentina can burst into life at any moment though so they need to remain switched on.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:31 , Mike Jones
27 mins: The game pauses for the first hydration break and Algeria need to regroup.
If they can get themselves back into the match then Argentina will need to respond.
As it stands though, Messi and co. look comfortable.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:26 , Mike Jones
23 mins: It’s all Argentina now. Algeria have dropped off in an attempt to shore up the defence.
They won’t be able to maintain this for long as Argentina will come at them repeatedly but for now the African side are taking a sting out of the game.
Argentina 1-0 Algeria
02:25 , Mike Jones
20 mins: Algeria have it all to do now.
Argentina will take confidence from that goal and they’ll want more.
Messi already looks lively near the goal and there’s some slick passing coming from the South American side.
GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Algeria (Lionel Messi, 17')
02:21 , Mike Jones
Wow!
It had to be him.
And what a goal.
Messi receives the ball with a threaded pass through the centre of the pitch. He spins and drives up to the box.
The Algerian defenders drop off him and he lets loose with a curling left-footed strike that beats Luca Zidane for power and finishes in the top right corner!
Argentina 0-0 Algeria
02:18 , Mike Jones
14 mins: Argentina have just dropped off slightly to give themselves more defensive cover.
Messi tries to get them forward with a tricky run down the right. He doesn’t have the same pace he used to but his footwork is still fabulous and Algeria need three defenders to guide the ball out for a throw in.
Argentina 0-0 Algeria
02:15 , Mike Jones
11 mins: A quick start to this match with both sides striking at the other only to have their goals chalked off.
Algeria have shown they can get at Argentina so they’ll take heart from Chaibi’s goal even though it won’t count.
Argentina 0-0 Algeria
02:12 , Mike Jones
8 mins: Disallowed!
Algeria strike next after a fine sweeping pass out to the left side of the pitch where Fares Chaibi collects the ball.
He drives inside and beats Emi Martinez at the near post. The Algerian fans go wild but they’re left disappointed as Chaibi is judged offside as well.
The goal doesn’t stand.
Argentina 0-0 Algeria
02:10 , Mike Jones
5 mins: Messi!
Almost a wonder start for the 38-year-old as he’s fed into the right side of the box and slots it past Zidane only for the offside flag to go up and cut short the celebrations.
Argentina 0-0 Algeria
02:07 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Close!
Not surprisingly the first chance of the game falls to Argentina. Facundo Medina gets forward and finds enough space to swing in a cross which lands on the head of Lautaro Martinez.
He turns the ball towards goal and into the hands of Luca Zidane just as the offside flag goes up.
Kick off! Argentina 0-0 Algeria
02:03 , Mike Jones
The world champions get the ball rolling and their World Cup campaign underway in Kansas.
This is the first competitive meeting between the teams but who will come out on top?
Argentina vs Algeria
01:54 , Mike Jones
The teams make their way out onto the pitch and huddle around the centre circle for the national anthems.
Leo Messi is attempting to secure his legacy as Argentina’s greatest player and will achieve that by lifting a second World Cup.
Can the world champions defend their title?
Will Messi play against Algeria?
01:50 , Mike Jones
“Everyone wants to see Messi on the field, playing,” Scaloni said.
“He excites everyone, not just Argentinians.
“From my part, it’ll always be like that. I don’t see anything negative. He’s been in different conditions and has always been here.
“He’s always been monumental for us, and now he will be even more. I see him well.”
Argentina’s bid for World Cup immortality is the end of an era
01:40 , Chris Wilson
Only two nations have ever won the World Cup twice in a row. Italy did it early – winning in 1934 and then in 1938 – while Brazil’s generation of Pele, Garrincha and co. repeated the feat in 1962.
In the modern era, it has so far proved impossible, though a few teams have come close. Brazil were soundly beaten in 1998, Argentina lost in 1990, and France were vanquished in 2022.
Argentina’s bid for World Cup immortality is the end of an era
Can Argentina repeat their 2022 triumph?
01:30 , Mike Jones
“What happened back in Qatar was just amazing. The whole country united,” recalled Nicolas Otamendi.
“We have that engraved in our minds, and it's just injected us with the strength to keep trying. There's no relaxing.
“We need to keep working with that level of humility that is required in these types of competitions.”
How Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can still define World Cup 2026 despite their waning powers
01:20 , Miguel Delaney
On 11 July in Kansas City, there’s a fixture that many at the top of Fifa are already giddy about. Barron Trump is even said to have noted it.
Right now it’s just the quarter-final between the winners of matches 95 and 96, but it could well become the first World Cup meeting between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
How Messi and Ronaldo can still define World Cup 2026 despite their waning powers
First game 'not fundamental' for Argentina
01:10 , Mike Jones
Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni knows how to win a World Cup having led the team to victory in 2022.
In that tournament, Argentina lost their opening match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in a surprise result.
As such Scaloni says he is calm about his team’s opening match this evening.
“Calm because it’s just a game of football,” he said of his team’s frame of mind.
“We have the experience of the last World Cup. The first game is not fundamental. It’s important, but it doesn’t end with the first game.
“We are good, we are calm. We are facing a good team with good players. But we are calm, we are arriving at a good moment.”
Why England are finally ready to deliver on their World Cup destiny
01:00 , Miguel Delaney
As we approach to start of Argentina’s World Cup campaign here’s a look at the state England are in and whether it is feasible that they can actually win the tournament.
The Independent’s Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, breaks it all down here:
Why England are finally ready to deliver on their World Cup destiny
Algeria's starting XI
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:52 , Mike Jones
Algeria XI: Zidane; Mandi, Ait-Nouri, Belghali, Bensebani; Chaibi, Boudaoui, Bentaleb, Maza; Gouiri, Hadj Moussa
Messi's longevity
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:50 , Mike Jones
Not only does he head his country’s World Cup appearance table, but Leo Messi has more outings in the competition than any other player of any nationality.
Messi has 26 World Cup appearances across five tournaments: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
He will also appear in a record-breaking sixth World Cup when taking to the field against Algeria.
Argentina starting XI
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:50 , Mike Jones
Argentina XI: Martinez; Montiel, Li. Martinez, Romero, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, Almada, La. Martinez
How Algeria reached the World Cup
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:40 , Mike Jones
Algeria are back in the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.
They sealed their return to the global showpiece by finishing top of Group G in CAF qualifying, winning eight of their 10 games.
Mohamed Amoura outscored everyone else in the continent with 10 goals through qualifying and will hope to continue that form in this tournament.
One to watch from Algeria
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:30 , Mike Jones
Ibrahim Maza, Bayer Leverkusen
20-year-old Maza impressed at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and could be set for a career-making performance at this World Cup.
An attacking midfielder for Leverkusen, he has been compared to Florian Wirtz, and his maturity and intelligence on and off the ball, plus his physical prowess - particularly in withstanding challenges - make him a major talent to watch.
Algeria's star player
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:20 , Flo Clifford
Star player – Riyadh Mahrez, Al-Ahli: At 35 former Manchester City star Mahrez may not be quite in his prime - he no longer plays for the full 90 - but he remains a key force in this side.
The team captain has more than 100 international caps and is an experienced presence in the heart of the team, a role model for the youngsters coming through, as well as a playmaker still capable of moments of magic.
Now playing for Saudi side Al-Ahli he scored four goals and registered eight assists in 27 matches this season.
Algeria guide
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:10 , Flo Clifford
Algeria arrive in the US having enjoyed a confidence boost at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they reached the quarter-finals, and qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2014 as winners of CAF Group G.
They reached the round of 16 in their last appearance at the tournament so are certainly a dark horse to look out for in this group, but their build-up to the tournament has been patchy - a friendly win over the Netherlands was a great warm-up, but their qualifying was straightforward, with the likes of Guinea and Mozambique not hugely threatening.
Vladimir Petkovic has been known to experiment with different formations, with the hallmark of each being an intense press and fluid style of play, dominating possession, so it will be intriguing to see how they come up against similarly high-pressing sides like Austria, and how they cope against Jordan’s counter-attackers.
Argentina's one to watch
Wednesday 17 June 2026 00:00 , Mike Jones
Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid
The 18-year-old winger has become a force to be reckoned with at the Spanish giants, becoming their youngest player to appear in the Champions League, and has matched that for his national side, becoming the youngest player to ever feature for the senior squad aged 17 years, 9 months and 22 days in 2025.
Argentina's star player
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:50 , Flo Clifford
Star player – Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: It hardly needs to be said. Despite his advanced years, the 38-year-old remains the focal point and talisman for this side, having finished as top scorer in South American qualifying for the tournament with eight goals. He may not be as quick as he once was but his class remains the same.
Argentina guide
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:40 , Flo Clifford
Ranked second in the world, Argentina arrive in the US once again among the favourites to lift the trophy and become the first nation to defend their title since Brazil in 1962. The three-time winners have a talented squad with 17 of the 2022 champions returning, such as Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while their experience will be complemented by a raft of talented youngsters coming through.
They qualified for the World Cup in top spot from South American qualifying, with a goal difference of 21 and nine-point advantage over second-placed Ecuador. Coach Lionel Scaloni is not wedded to a specific formation but has given a strong midfield licence to dictate play, while the side’s many stars means there are multiple creative outlets.
Predicted line-ups
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:30 , Flo Clifford
Argentina XI: Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Alvarez
Algeria XI: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Chergui, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri
Team news
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:20 , Flo Clifford
Argentina left back Nicolas Tagliafico has been ruled out of this match after straining his calf in a warm-up game against Honduras, but Leandro Paredes and Nico Gonzalez are both close to full fitness after muscular problems.
Algeria’s Ramy Bensebaini, who can play left back or centre back, is out with an ankle injury. Otherwise, the underdogs have a full bill of health.
How can I watch it?
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:10 , Flo Clifford
Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on ITV 1, ITV X, STV and STV Player with coverage starting at 1:15am BST. It can also be live streamed on ITVX.
When is Argentina v Algeria?
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:05 , Flo Clifford
Argentina face Algeria at 2am BST on Wednesday 17 June (8pm CT, Tuesday 17 June) at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Welcome
Tuesday 16 June 2026 23:00 , Flo Clifford
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Argentina vs Algeria.
The reigning champions get their World Cup title defence underway against one of two teams likely to battle for the second qualifying spot in Group J.
But several of the top teams, including Spain, have struggled in their opening encounters, so anything is possible...
Kick-off is at 2am BST, and we’ll have build-up, team news, and latest updates right here.
