Group J standings
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What each team needs
Argentina
A win in their opening match would put Argentina in a strong position to advance from Group J.
Algeria
An opening win over Argentina would be a major statement and strengthen Algeria's chances of progressing.
Team comparison
| Stat | Argentina | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 2 | 32 |
| World Cup Titles | 3 | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 18 | 5 |
| Best WC Finish | Champions (1978, 1986, 2022) | Round of 16 (2014) |
| Manager | Lionel Scaloni | Vladimir Petković |
| How They Qualified | CONMEBOL — 1st place (38 pts) | CAF — Group D winners |
| 2022 World Cup | Champions — beat France on pens | Did not qualify |
| Captain | Lionel Messi | Riyad Mahrez |
Prediction
Argentina 2 — 1 Algeria
Based on FIFA rankings and recent form. Argentina (ranked 2th) enters as the slight favourite.
Match facts
Argentina have appeared at 18 World Cups. Algeria have appeared at 5.
Argentina are ranked 2th in the world. Algeria are ranked 32th.
Argentina are the defending World Cup champions.
Argentina have won the World Cup 3 times.
This match takes place at Arrowhead Stadium, which is one of the 16 World Cup 2026 venues.
How to watch
| Region | Broadcast |
|---|---|
| USA (English) | FOX / FOX Sports App |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo / Peacock |
| UK | BBC / ITV (TBC) |
| Worldwide | FIFA+ (select territories) |
Venue
Arrowhead Stadium · Kansas City · Capacity: 67,513
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