Argentina, the reigning World Cup champs, will start their World Cup 2026 campaign today by meeting Algeria in a Group J match on Tuesday, June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium) in Kansas City, Missouri. Kick-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET.
This matchup gives both teams a chance to shape the Group J standings, with Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan all competing for a spot in the knockout stage.
Below, we’ll give you a full Argentina vs. Algeria preview for today’s World Cup match, including how to watch, what’s at stake in the group, projected lineups, and key players to know.
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How to Watch Argentina vs. Algeria in World Cup 2026
Match: Argentina vs. Algeria
Favorite: Argentina to win – 1.36x payout via PrizePicks
Spread: Argentina -1.5 – 2.12x
Group: Group J
Date: Tuesday, June 16
Kickoff Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Stadium: Kansas City Stadium
City: Kansas City, Missouri
How to Watch: FOX (English) | Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)
Argentina vs. Algeria Preview for Argentina World Cup Game Today
Despite taking home the World Cup trophy in 2022, Argentina are setting their sights on doing something that hasn’t been done since 1962: win back-to-back World Cups. La Albiceleste got a favorable draw in Group J, as they return the lowest payout to win the group (1.28x).
With Argentina being regarded as an obvious threat to win it all, they also have the fifth-lowest payout to win the 2026 World Cup (8.33).
On the other hand, Algeria has an uphill battle to earn results, possessing the third-highest payout to win Group J (9.09x), via PrizePicks Team Picks. Algeria also has just a 1.4x payout to qualify for the knockout stage.
This will be the first meeting between Argentina and Algeria since 2007, when La Albiceleste secured a 4-3 victory in an international friendly.
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How Argentina Can Win vs. Algeria: Group J World Cup
Argentina to Win vs. Algeria Payout via PrizePicks: 1.36x
Argentina Best Players to Watch: F Lionel Messi, F Julian Alvarez, F Lautaro Martinez, MF Enzo Fernandez, MF Nico Paz
Argentina certainly doesn’t need instructions on how to win games under manager Lionel Scaloni. However, Argentina goes from being a team with the World Cup trophy in their scope back in 2022 to now being a team with a red target on their backs.
Scaloni’s side won’t have a lack of attacking options at their disposal, and F Lionel Messi is still a lethal playmaker and capable goal-scoring threat.
La Albiceleste has an ideal blend of experience and youth on this roster, with plenty of their key contributors from 2022 returning for this year’s iteration.
If Argentina remains disciplined and avoids making crucial mistakes, they’ll be in a nice position to start the 2026 World Cup with 3 points.
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How Algeria Can Win vs. Argentina: Group J World Cup
Algeria to Win Payout via PrizePicks: 7.14x
Algeria Best Players to Watch: F Riyad Mahrez, F Mohammed Amine Amoura, F Amine Gouiri, MF Ibrahim Maza, DF Rayan Aït-Nouri
While F Riyad Mahrez is a few years removed from winning Premier League titles with Man City, his experience at an elite level is invaluable for this Algeria squad.
MF Ibrahim Maza is a young player to watch in this tournament at 20 years old, coming off a Bundesliga campaign with Bayer Leverkusen where he totaled 11 goals + assists in 44 matches across all competitions.
That being said, there is pressure on manager Vladimir Petković (who coached Switzerland at the 2018 World Cup) to get results for Algeria. At the same time, Algeria faces a tall task in starting their group schedule against Argentina.
Avoiding a blowout is paramount for Algeria in this match. For them to win, they’ll have to maximize their counterattacks and prevent mental lapses in their back line.
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Argentina vs. Algeria Lineups for World Cup 2026 – Tuesday, June 16
Here are the projected Argentina vs. Algeria lineups for Tuesday’s World Cup group stage match. Lineups are not official and are based on historical data.
Argentina Lineup vs. Algeria for World Cup Group Stage
Projected Formation: 4-3-3
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
- Defense: Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina
- Midfield: Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Thiago Almada
Algeria Lineup vs. Argentina for World Cup Group Stage
Projected Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Luca Zidane
- Defense: Rayan Aït-Nouri, Ramy Bensébaïni, Aissa Mandi, Achref Abada
- Midfield: Nabil Bentaleb, Ramiz Zerrouki, Houssem Aouar
- Forwards: Mohamed Amoura, Amine Gouiri, Riyad Mahrez
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Key Players to Know for Argentina vs. Algeria
Here are the key players to watch in Tuesday’s World Cup group-stage match between Argentina and Algeria before you make your World Cup picks on PrizePicks.
Argentina Player to Know: F Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi Projections vs. Algeria via PrizePicks: 2.5 Shots Assisted, 49.5 Passes Attempted, 0.5 Goals
Even though Messi is now 38 years old and playing his final World Cup, he’s still a creative player who can make something out of nothing — whether it be for himself or his teammates.
Other Argentina Players to Watch: Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez
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Algeria Player to Know: F Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez Projections vs. Algeria via PrizePicks: 0.5 Shots (Goblin), 0.5 Shots on Target (Demon), 0.5 Goals (Demon)
The spark that Maza can provide in the midfield will be much-needed, but with Algeria in a position where they can’t squander any goal-scoring chances they produce, Mahrez’s experience is crucial in Tuesday’s game.
Other Argentina Players to Watch: Ibrahim Maza, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Mohammed Amine Amoura
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Make Argentina vs. Algeria Picks on PrizePicks
Argentina will kickstart their World Cup campaign with a match against Algeria on Tuesday in Kansas City. Ahead of the first kick of the ball, Argentina is the favorite to win Group J, while Algeria is seeking results as an underdog.
Don’t wait until the match starts tonight. Make your Argentina vs. Algeria picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right on every World Cup game.
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