LIVE UPDATES: Argentina vs Algeria World Cup 2026 – Follow every action, every goal and every celebration

Follow this live blog for minute-by-minute updates, goals, major incidents and all the reaction as Argentina begin the defence of their World Cup crown against Algeria.

Kick Off

Argentina vs Algeria

🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026

📍 Kansas City

⏰ Kick off: 01:00 GMT

None of Algeria’s last six matches have seen both teams score.

Including extra time, Algeria have managed only one clean sheet in their 13 World Cup matches.

The winning team has led at half time in each of Argentina’s last nine matches.

Argentina have won each of their last six World Cup matches against African opposition.

Key Statistics

Algeria will be without Ramy Bensebaini for the contest.

Argentina have received a major boost with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez cleared to play. Nicolás Tagliafico remains a doubt.

Team News

For Algeria, Mohamed Amoura arrives in excellent form after finishing as the leading scorer in the CAF World Cup qualifiers with ten goals.

Lionel Messi remains Argentina’s main attraction and enters the tournament looking to guide his nation to another memorable campaign.

Players to Watch

Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 matches and has contributed 13 goals and eight assists on the sport’s biggest stage.

The football icon is set to make his 200th appearance for Argentina and become the first player in history to feature at six different FIFA World Cups.

All eyes will once again be on Lionel Messi as the Argentine captain prepares to reach another extraordinary landmark.

Historic Night for Lionel Messi

That encounter came in a friendly match in June 2007, with Argentina claiming a thrilling 4-3 victory. The game is best remembered for Lionel Messi scoring his first international brace.

Argentina and Algeria have met only once before.

Head to Head

While Algeria’s World Cup history has been challenging, the North Africans will believe they have the quality to trouble the defending champions and potentially produce one of the shocks of the opening round.

The Desert Warriors secured qualification after topping their qualifying group for a second consecutive campaign and head into the tournament with an impressive record of 14 wins from their last 19 matches.

Algeria return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 and will be determined to mark their comeback with a memorable performance.

Algeria Out to Cause an Upset

Argentina arrive at the tournament in outstanding form, having won 13 of their last 15 matches, drawing one and losing just once. Their consistency and experience make them one of the strongest contenders to lift the trophy once again.

The Albiceleste are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title. Confidence is high within Lionel Scaloni’s squad after a dominant qualification campaign that saw them finish top of the CONMEBOL standings.

Four years after lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar, Argentina return to the global stage with the opportunity to achieve something only a select few nations have managed in football history.

Argentina Begin Title Defence

Stay with us throughout the match for live updates, goals, key moments, team news and post match reaction.

The reigning world champions begin the defence of their title in Kansas City as Lionel Messi prepares for another historic milestone on football’s biggest stage. Standing in their way is an ambitious Algerian side eager to make a statement against one of the tournament favourites.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group stage clash between Argentina and Algeria.