Argentina open their defence of the World Cup crown they received in Qatar 4 years in the past tonight once they tackle Algeria in Kansas Metropolis.
Lionel Scaloni’s males backed up their international success with one other Copa America victory in 2024 and begin this event as one of many favourites, though their problem may depend upon whether or not Lionel Messi has absolutely overcome the muscle fatigue that has blighted his build-up.
Algeria, in the meantime, are making their first World Cup look since 2014 after a powerful qualification marketing campaign. Vladimir Petkovic’s facet topped their CAF qualifying group and have proven encouraging type in current months, recording victories over the Netherlands and Bolivia whereas conceding solely twice throughout their final six matches.
The Fennec Foxes possess loads of attacking high quality via Riyad Mahrez, Mohammed Amoura and Amine Gouiri, and they’re going to view this fixture as a chance to show they will compete with one of many event favourites.
The place to observe Argentina v Algeria: TV channel, dwell on-line streams
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET on Tuesday / 18:00 PT on Tuesday). Within the UK, dwell protection is on ITV1.
Followers can stream the motion on an unlimited vary of units via the ITVX app.
World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria stats
- Solely Brazil (5) and Germany and Italy (4 every) have received the World Cup extra usually than Argentina (3), with no nation lifting the trophy on as many events as La Albiceleste since their first triumph in 1978
- Argentina may turn out to be the third staff to win back-to-back titles, after Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962)
- They’ve certified for his or her nineteenth World Cup, with this their 14th participation in a row as a part of the third-longest present run, after Brazil (23) and Germany (19)
- The one event when Argentina didn’t advance from the group stage throughout their final 14 World Cup appearances was in 2002 beneath Marcelo Bielsa
- Lionel Messi holds the all-time file for many World Cup appearances, with 26 matches performed
- (13 objectives, 8 assists). In 2022, he scored or assisted 10 of Argentina’s 15 objectives (7 objectives, 3 assists)
- Lionel Scaloni is the one Argentina head coach to win each the World Cup (2022) and the
- Copa America (2021, 2024), in addition to being the primary to guide Argentina at two consecutive World Cup tournaments since Carlos Bilardo, who received the competitors in 1986 and completed as runner-up in 1990
- That is Algeria’s fifth look on the finals and their first since 2014, with the World Cup in Brazil representing the one time they’ve progressed previous the primary spherical
- Algeria received two of their first three matches on the World Cup in 1982 however have been victorious in one in every of their 10 such matches since then, beating Korea Republic 4-2 within the group stage in 2014
- They’ve recorded one clear sheet of their 13 World Cup matches, sharing a 0-0 draw with England in 2010
- With eight wins in qualifying, Algeria achieved their highest such tally in a single marketing campaign, surpassing their seven victories in 2010
- Mohammed Amoura was the highest scorer in African qualifying, netting 10 objectives in 10 matches and being concerned in 58% of Algeria’s objectives, scoring 10 and aiding 4 of their 24
- Vladimir Petkovic beforehand led Switzerland to the spherical of 16 in 2018 and is the second Bosnian to take cost of Algeria at a World Cup, after Vahid Halilhodzic in 2014
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