Argentina 3 vs 0 Algeria summary: updates, goals, score and highlights | Messi’s 2026 World Cup debut

Lionel Messi just reminded Clarence Seedorf and the rest of the world who he is. It doesn't matter that he is 38 and playing in the MLS. Messi is, was and always will be Messi. 

On a night that he earned his 200th cap, became the first player ever to play in six World Cups, second player to score in five, he also scores his first World Cup hat trick and draws level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all time leading scorer with 16. In the long list of memorable night's Lionel Messi has had, this has to rank up there as one of the best. Argentina will enjoy the night, but know that they have a job to do and that job is defending their title. Argentina have Austria next, but they should already have a foot and a half in the next round after another remarkable performance from Lionel Messi. 

Messi had his hat trick served up for him, but on a rare mistouch he let Luca Zidane get the better of him. In fairness to Messi he did have a defender breathing down his neck as he rushed to take the shot. It wasn't just the goals. He was the center piece of everything Argentina did in the attacking third. This team runs through him, and if you can believe there were people saying that this side would be better without him. 

The first goal of Messi's was a work of art. This was a killers goal. A goal that shows you he is not just capable of brilliance, but getting his hands dirty and scoring ugly goals. A goal that shows a knack for knowing where the ball is going to be and a belief in knowing that no one on the pitch is going to get to that ball before you will. Intuition and sheer genius. Messi has it all and that's why he's the greatest. 

The greatest football player (still playing) on the planet wasn't going to miss the greatest soccer player on the planet passing through town on his way to try to defend his and Argentina's World Cup title. 

It's not often that you get to witness history playing out before your eyes. A night you will remember forever. A performance you will see on repeat for decades.  When you watch Lionel Messi, it becomes common ground. Even now, at 38 years old, he still finds ways to leave you picking your jaw off the floor while asking yourself “How did he just do that?” The first goal would have been enough to leave us all in amazement, but no. Not for him. Not for a legend of his stature. Not for a genius of his caliber. Not for the greatest of all time. He was just getting started with this rocket from outside the box in the 17th minute. 

Ibrahim Maza was the best of the bunch for Algeria. There wasn't much that the African side did well, or could do well against this stingy back line. Maza was at the center of everything positive for Algeria. Fares Chaibi just leaned offside before slotting his shot past Dibu Martinez, but the flag went up for offside for a second time in a matter of minutes. 

Messi came into Argentina's camp injured. He's 38 years old. He plays in the MLS: How much could he really bring to this team during the biggest tournament in the world? The Inter Miami man came out and let the world know that this is still his stage, and he is just as dangerous as he ever was. He got the first goal of the night, but it was wiped off the scoreboard as the linesman flag went up in the fifth minute. 

It was already a historic night for Lionel Messi. On a night that he made his 200th appearance for the national team, he became the first player to play in six different World Cups. Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to join him on that list, but Lionel got there a night before Ronaldo could. 

It was a special night even before the ball got rolling. The Albiceleste faithful showed up loud and proud to cheer on the defending World Cup champions, and the night couldn't have gone better even if you gave them a chance to write the script. Argentina put on one of the performances of the first week of the tournament, and it was all centered around one man, Lionel Messi. 

IT'S ALL OVER!!!

ARGENTINA TAKE THE FIRST THREE POINTS OF THEIR WORLD CUP ON A HISTORIC NIGHT FROM LIONEL MESSI!

The next few minutes are just a formality at this point. It will give the Argentina fans a few more minutes to sign, and jump around and enjoy the show that their side put on this evening in KC. 

I've seen just about every team play so far in this tournament. There are still a couple to play tomorrow, but Argentina is looking like one of the best, if not the best team in this World Cup. 

SIX MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME TO GO HERE FROM KC. 

Algeria still fighting, and trying to create something but to be honest, it has been an awfully comfortable day for Dibu Martinez in Argentina's goal. 

I haven't written a post in a couple minutes. I'm simply marveling in what we have seen from Lionel Messi tonight. 

It felt like a special night, even before this match began but I don't think we were expecting this much magic. Lionel Messi, crossing another box off. A World Cup hat trick and he does it while scoring a record tying 16th goal in the World Cup. 

Messi is taken out with Romero, for Paz and Otamendi. What a night for Messi. He's had a lot of them, but this one has to be up there. 

Nico Gonzalez played a ball up to Messi at the top of the area. He took a touch, maybe two, and teed up a shot that kissed the inside of the left post. 

Messi wants this hat trick. He's going to keep attacking for as long as he's on the pitch. 

Messi went down in the area, and he looked right at the referee after the challenge came from behind. No penalty. No check. No VAR. 

This was Messi's shot at a hat trick, and this time Zidane got the best of Messi who had a defending crashing down on his from behind. 

Messi's first goal was for the highlight reel. His second one was for a tutorial for strikes on where and how to react when a shot is put on goal. He was in the right place and the right time and passed it home for his 15th goal in the World Cup. He is now only one goal away from Miroslav Klose's record 16. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK HERE FROM KC. 

Aouar with a half chance from the top of the area with a ball that was coming across his body. He took a swipe at it, and just sent it wide of the far post. 

Ait Nouri plays in a ball for Amoura on the end line but it was cut out by the Argentina defense. It's been a serious performance from the back line for Scaloni. This Algreia team has attacking potential, but they haven't been able to show it much tonight. 

MESSI HAD HIS HAT TRICK AFTER ANOTHER GREAT PASS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK. THIS TIME ZIDANE GOT THE BETTER OF MESSI WHO HAD A DEFENDER ON HIS BACK AS HE ENTERED THE AREA. 

Hadj Moussa, Gouiri and Boudoui out for Mahrez, Amoura and Aouar. 

The was a hunters goal from Messi. He can do that too. It's not all golazos from the Argentinian. He can get those ugly goals that only true goal scorers have an instinct of sniffing out. 

I think we are all watching along in awe of Messi right now. He is 38 and he still looks like one of the best, if not the best player in the world. Mbappe scored two today. Haaland scored two. Now Messi has scored two and he's not done yet. 

Messi with a touch to De Paul in space and he sent a ball to the back post for Nico Gonzalez and that needed a glancing touch from Belghali who conceded a corner kick. 

For as well as Argentina is playing, one play, one mistake, one moment of brilliance could cost them the lead. Algeria look like they are gaining confidence on the ball. 

Maza had a chance to put a shot on goal for the first time tonight, but Romero was brave and put his body on the line to block that shot at the top of the area. 

Algeria isn't as deep as Argentina but they do have some options off the bench. They haven't used any just yet but let's see how long they wait. 

Gonzalez and Alvarez coming in for Lautaro and Almada. 

Incredible that everything that Argentina do well is centered around Messi. He is still the engine that powers this train. 

Messi with a slicing ball into the area for Lautaro and he had a one touch strike directed on goal from the right side but Zidane gets down quickly and makes the save. 

Counter attack was on for Argentina, and De Paul had it on the right side but chose the wrong pass back to the top of the area where a defender was waiting to extinguish the fire. 

Argentina continuing to attack and Messi had space to have a go. He had it on his left foot and got a good look at goal but sent soaring over the crossbar. 

Enzo found Messi at the edge of the area and he tried to dink it back into the path of Enzo but that was just clipped by Mandi. 

Messi was cut down by Boudaui. Wasn't the softest of challenges especially on a 38 year old. 

Algeria look more intent to push bodies forward and try to equalize the match coming out of the halftime break. 

Molina making an intervention right away as Chaibi looked to run on to a ball down the left touchline. 

Montiel comes out for Argentina and it's Molina filling in at right back. 

The players are coming back on the pitch here from KC. We'll keep our eye out for any changes from either side. 

The match is the main event, but the Argentina fans here in Kansas City have been incredible. One of the loudest stadiums in the NFL is currently under occupation of the loudest, most passionate fans on the planet. 

Lionel Messi, in his 200th match with Argentina, in his sixth World Cup, scores goal number 14 in his World Cup career. Class is permanent and Lionel Messi looks just as dangerous in front of goal as he did 10 or 15 years ago. 

Maza made a brilliant run through heart of the midfield and found Chaibi who slipped it past Martinez, but the flag went up again. Both goals were ruled offside but it was an awfully exciting first quarter of an hour. 

Messi technically has two goals on the day, but the first one was waved off for offside. He knew it right away and that hindered his celebration, but he knew he was going to get another chance after the flag went up in the 5th minute. 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM KANSAS CITY!!!

Argentina lead Algeria 1-0 after a 17th minute goal from Lionel Messi. 

Free kick for Messi on the final touch of the half, and he found MacAllister who got a head to it but couldn't keep that effort down. 

Hadj Moussa with some tight touches on the edge of the area and he tried a shot that had the sting taken out of it by Martinez and it was cleared away before bouncing to a waiting Algeria attacker in the mix. 

Maza is a really good player for Algeria. If you haven't seen him play at Leverkusen you might not have heard of him, but just watching him in the middle of the park you can tell he is the one that sets everything for his side. 

Corner to the front post doesn't get past MacAllister who nods it out of danger.

Gouiri with a run at defenders and Argentina just manage to poke it away from him and concede a corner. 

Chaibi running on to another ball towards the end line and he might have had another shot from a tight angle. Didn't have much in the middle in terms of options, but was never going to beat Martinez from that angle. 

Chaibi with an ambitious effort from outside the area and he skied his effort over the crossbar and into row K. 

Algeria haven't done a whole lot in terms of attacking Argentina's goal since the opener, but neither have Argentina. They've had a couple of build ups in the attacking third but Zidane hasn't seen the ball since he had to pick it out of the back of the net. 

Boudaoui with a couple touches around two defenders. He gave it up hoping to get it back while charging into the box, but Romero was there to clear his lines. 

Bertaleb sends Chaibi towards the end line, but that ball left him with little to do other than have a go at goal from a tight angle. 

Messi sprayed it wide for Enzo on the left side but Algeria's defense kept their shape well and stopped a little 1-2 from Messi and Enzo. 

Messi at the center of everything again. He wiggles around one defender before playing a ball to Lautaro on the right side. His ball in to the area for Almada at the back post was more hopeful than anything and that attacks ends without a worry from Algeria. 

Quick passing around the edge of the area and it leads to a ball from the end line back to Lautaro from Almada. The ball bounced off a couple of defenders before being cleared out of danger by Mandi. 

For Algeria, they need to focus on keeping Argentina from scoring any more goals before the halftime break. They are still very much in this match, but a second goal would make the task nearly impossible against the defending champions. 

Messi with a challenge on Mandi from the back, and he was lucky not to get his name in the book after putting his studs into the calf of the defender. 

Errant pass from Messi and that might have been his first missed touch of the game, 30 minutes into this game. 

Can the Algerians use the break to get a bring a little calm to this side? They have lost some of their rhythm in this game since the goal. 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HYDRATION BREAK HERE FROM KANSAS CITY. 

Algeria look to have their tail between their legs after the goal. They need to go back to do what they were doing in the first quarter of an hour. It's tough to keep that mindset after seeing the brilliance of Messi, but they have to continue to attack. 

Messi showing his sorcery again, playing the ball up the pitch with one touches passes to his teammates. The attack didn't end in anything, but the magic is endless for the 38 year old. 

LIONEL MESSI, IN HIS 200TH CAP FOR ARGENTINA, SCORES HIS 118TH GOAL AND NOW HE HAS SCORED IN FIVE DIFFERENT WORLD CUPS. 

That one had no chance of being called offside. Another highlight to the never ending reel that Messi has gifted us over the last two decades. 

Zidane did get hands on it, and might have done a bit better but take nothing away from Messi who struck it with pace and precision. 

Both teams have shown signs of intent in the first quarter of an hour. Neither have trouble building up an attack, and both have shown they can score when given the chance. Can they stay onsides? That might be the question. 

Kansas City Stadium is shaking right now as the Argentina fans jump and chant as one. Just like you see in all those game at Boca's stadium or River Plate's stadium. That's the energy that is here in KC tonight.  

They took the free kick short, and missed out on a chance to swing one into the box. Messi of all people was doing his defensive duties and poked it out for a throw in. 

Ait Nouri getting his first chance to stretch his legs up the touchline and he is tripped up by Mandi. Free kick on the left side, and not a bad position to send one in. 

Bodies going down in Algeria's defensive third, and Enzo's name will stay out of the refs book for the moment, but that was close. 

GOAL TAKEN OFF THE BOARD, THIS TIME FOR ALGERIA!!!

Maza made a fantastic run through the midfield and found Chaibi, who was just leaning offside by a half shoulder. Two goals taken off the board, one for each side. 

Messi might not have the burst he used to, but when he gets a chance to start the keeper down, 1 v 1 he is not spoiling that chance. That time Algeria got saved by the flag, but that won't be the last time he has a look at goal. 

MESSI SCORED IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES, BUT THE FLAG WENT UP. 

He was slipped in behind the defense and tucked it past Zidane, but Messi knew right away that goal was coming back. 

Messi chasing after a ball on the near touchline, and I don't even think the Messi of 15 years ago would have got to that ball. 

Ball into the box from Almada and Lautaro turned on the header and directed it towards goal but the flag went up for offsides. 

Messi playing in behind Lautaro who will play more of a No. 9 as Messi patros the middle of the pitch. 

How do Algeria come out? Will they play timid against the defending champs? Do they go right after them? It's a tough ask because they are so good up top, they can punish you in the blink of an eye. 

There is not an empty seat in the house. There is a capacity of over 60,000 here and each and every one of the tickets have been sold for this match up. 

WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM KANSAS CITY!!!

4-3-3 for Algeria 

Algeria are coming in with an awfully attacking formation. They have Luca Zidane in goal with Ait Nouri, Bensebaini, Mandi and Belghali in the back. In the midfield it's Bentaleb, Maza and Boudaoui and up top Algeria go with Chaibi, Gourir and Hadj Moussa. 

Both teams coming out of the tunnel, and soon we will be hearing the anthems. Usually it's the Star Spangled Banner capped by the entire stadium yelling “Home of the CHIEFS!!!” The Argentina fans will have something special up their sleeves for their first anthem of this tournament. 

A special guest and Kansas City Stadium

You had to know that Patrick Mahomes was going to be in attendance with the GOAT of soccer in town, playing in the place he calls home. He's a big soccer fan. He goes to the Sportng KC games. Mahomes has one of the best seats in the house to watch the defending World Cup champions take on Algeria. 

World Cup 2026

How Lionel Messi left no stone unturned ahead of one last World Cup

How Lionel Messi left no stone unturned ahead of one last World Cup

When you are pushing 40 and the fate of an entire nation rests on your shoulders, you have to take the upmost precautions. Lionel Messi has been meticulous about his preparations for this 2026 World Cup which will be his Sith and most likely final one. Our Roddy Cons has more.

Argentina's first game last WC

Earlier we talked about some of the top ranked teams according to FIFA not fairing too well in the first game of the tournament. They need not get too down on themselves this early in the tournament. Take Argentina in Qatar for example. They lost to Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the tournament and then went on to win the entire thing. They became the second country to win the World Cup after losing their first game. The only other country that did that was Spain, which won the World Cup in South Africa back in 2010 after losing to Switzerland in the opening match. Fret not Spain fans. The draw to Cape Verde was ugly but doesn’t mean that there is no chance moving forward. 

World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi set to beat Cristiano Ronaldo to historic World Cup milestone

Messi sets another record before CR7

While Messi might not be the leader in international caps he is the all time leader in World Cup matches played. This will be his 27th World Cup match. Those have been spread over 20 years, and six editions of the tournament. He made his first appearance in the World Cup back in 2006 in Italy. Germans Lothar Matthaus and Miroslav Klose have 25 and 24 respectively, and Paolo Maldini played 23 World Cup games with Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo rounds out the top five, and joins Messi as the only players to be a part of six World Cups and participate in all six. Mexico's Memo Ochoa has been selected to El Tri for the sixth straight World Cup but he hasn’t played in all of those tournaments. 

Messi's milestone 

Tonight isn’t just a big night for Argentina as they look to start a historic back to back bid but it’s a special night for Lionel Messi who is about to become just the third player in history with 200 international caps. Messi, who started his international career with Argentina’s first team back in August of 2005 has played 199 games with Argentina since. Today marks 200 and in that time he has won the Copa America twice, the World Cup once and the Finalissima once. In 199 appearances, he has scored 117 goals with Argentina. The only two players that have more international caps than Messi are Bader Al-Mutawa (202) with Kuwait, and Cristiano Ronaldo (228) with Portugal. 

4-4-2 from Argentina

It took a little while, but we have it. Scaloni has his XI and this is what it looks like: Martinez in goal with Montiel on the left with Romero and LIsandro Martinez in the middle with Medina at right back. De Paul in the midfield with MacCallister and Enzo Martinez in the middle and Almada on the right side. Up top it's Messi and Lautaro Martinez as the triggermen. 

How the favorites are fairing

Argentina are at the top of the FIFA World Rankings. That's the good news. The bad news is how the other favorites in the Rankings are fairing almost a week into the tournament. Spain dropped from 2nd to 3rd after their draw to debutants Cape Verde. France played earlier today and took care of Senegal in convincing fashion. England and Portugal play tomorrow but the only other team to win in the top 10 of the FIFA Rankings was Germany with their 7-1 win over Curacao. Brazil and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw. The Netherlands drew with Japan, 2-2 and Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1. 

FIFA Rankings

After winning the World Cup four years ago, and continuing that fantastic form in between Qatar 2022 and USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 they earned themselves the top spot in the FIFA Rankings coming into the tournament. They came in above Spain, France, England and Portugal and will be hoping to end the tournament as the number one ranked team which would almost certainly mean they won the tournament for a second straight tournament. 

Norway on top

Norway just took the lead in Group I, over France. Both teams started their World Cup campaign on the right foot, but it was Norway winning by the biggest scoreline. They beat Iraq 4-1 and now are the group leaders after a first day of action that saw France beat Senegal 3-1.

Tonight's venue 

We are in Kansas City Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs from the months of September to January. It is one of the most historic, loudest stadium in the NFL and with fans from both sides packing the house, this will surely be a historic night from what is usually referred to as Arrowhead Stadium. Argentina fans are known to be some of the most passionate fans in the world, and if they know anything about this stadium they will use it to their advantage during tonight’s kickoff match against Algeria. 

Messi starting in 200th cap

Messi gets the start. No real surprise there, but he there was just a question of his fitness arriving to camp carrying an injury. 

History of a back-to-back

There have only been eight countries that have ever won the tournament, so you would think back-to-backs would be pretty common, but that actually not the case. The first country to go back-to-back was Italy in the second and third edition of the tournament back in 1934 and 1938. The only other country to do so was Brazil in the late 50s and early 60s. Led by Pele, Brazil won it all in 1958 and did it again in 1962. Argentina have a chance to join rarified air if they are able to put on a repeat performance of their heroics in Qatar four years ago  

Argentina XI 

It's not been published on their social media pages but Scaloni's first XI of the World Cup title defense looks like this: 

E. Martínez; Montiel, Lisandro, Cuti; Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo; Messi, Almada, Lautaro

The Argentina XI should be out in no time. We already have Algeria's starting eleven, but the defending champions are taking a little while longer to release their first XI of the World Cup. 

Group J

It's a pretty stacked group in Group J. You could definitely see this being one of the groups in which three teams move on from. You figure Argentina is pretty safe, especially if they win tonight. Algeria and Austria could very well both qualify. Jordan might have it a little tougher. 

Teams 
1. Argentina
2. Algeria
3. Austria
4. Jordan

Schedule

Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tuesday, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Monday, June 22, 1 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Monday, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (Fox): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)

World Cup history: Algeria 

This is just the fifth appearance in a World Cup for the Algerians. They first made the tournament in 1982, when they were controversially knocked out of the group stages after beating then powerhouse West Germany and Chile. West Germany and Austria played a game that was dubbed the “Match of Shame” after both sides seemed to make a pact that advanced both teams through after a 1-0 win from the West Germans. They have been to the World Cup just three time since then, and the only time they got past the group stages was back in 2014 when they were beaten in the round of 16 by Germany. 

World Cup history: Argentina 

It's a side that needs no introduction in this tournament. They are three time champions after their last win in Qatar 2022. That puts them fourth all time, behind Brazil with five, and Germany and Italy with four a piece. On top of their three World Cups, they have been finalists another three times, back in the first World Cup in 1930, 1990, and in 2014 from Brazil. This summer they have a chance to make history with a fourth star, and a back to back bid which would make them the first country to win back to back World Cups in a long, long time. 

Algeria XI

Here is Petkovic's first eleven in Algeria's return to the World Cup. Ait Nouri gets the start in the back but Mahrez will start on the bench. That means it's up to Chaibi and Gouri to create up top. 

Star watch: Algeria 

He may not be playing in any of the top leagues in Europe, but class is permanent, and Riyad Mahrez is certainly proof of that. He is 35 coming into this World Cup, but his experience, his wisdom and his skill will be a welcomed addition to this side that as gearing up for another appearance in the knockout round. While he is the star of the show, no one had a better World Cup qualifiers than Mohamed Amoura who scored 10 goals served 4 assists in 8 matches. These two will be heading the attack against an Argentina side that will be eager to get off to a good start. 

Star watch: Argentina 

We need not look too hard for the Argentina star in this portion of the preview. Is he the greatest of all time? It certainly a tough question to debate. While everyone has their personal preference there is no arguing that Lionel Messi has checked off every box possible over the span of the last two decades. The only thing that was missing was a World Cup, and he's now got that in his trophy case after last World Cup. At 38 years old, he is still going to be one of the most important players on this squad, and the game against Iceland showed us that he is still capable of producing magic in the blink of an eye. 

Algeria squad

They may not be the most known side in the tournament, but there are some names you will certainly know as you look at Vladimir Petkovic's 26 man squad. The most recognizable of all is Riyad Mahrez who has a sensation in the Premier League before heading to the Saudi League. Luca Zidane is representing Algeria as well and Man City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri are the headliners of this team that should come into this summer with some loft goals. Here is the 26 man squad

Goalkeepers:

Anthony Mandrea (SM Caen)

Luca Zidane (Granada CF)

Oussama Benbot (USM Alger)

Defenders:

Aïssa Mandi (Lille OSC)

Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund)

Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City)

Mehdi Dorval (SSC Bari)

Mohamed Amine Tougaï (Espérance de Tunis)

Zineddine Belaïd (JS Kabylie)

Rafiq Belghali (Hellas Verona)

Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys)

Youcef Atal (Al-Sadd SC)

Midfielders:

Ismaël Bennacer (Dinamo Zagreb)

Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice)

Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente)

Farès Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad)

Adam Zorgane (Union Saint-Gilloise)

Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen)

Ahmed Kendouci (Ceramica Cleopatra)

Forwards:

Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli)

Mohamed Amoura (VfL Wolfsburg)

Amine Gouiri (Olympique de Marseille)

Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord)

Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Shamal)

Adel Boulbina (Al-Duhail)

Argentina squad

It's not an easy task bringing a squad that has that same hunger and that same drive from four years ago. Argentina were desperate to win a World Cup after such a long wait, now they come in as defending champs and it’s up to Luis Scaloni to know who to select to this squad and how to manager them. This is his roster, that has some familiar faces from four years ago. 

Goalkeepers: Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid)

Defenders: Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Nicolás Tagliafico (Ajax), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Facundo Medina (Olympique Marseille)

Midfielders: Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Nico González (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nico Paz (Como)

Last match: Algeria 

Don't sleep on Algeria. They were knocked out of the AfCon quarterfinals back in January, but since then they haven’t lost a game. They drew against Uruguay in a game back in March, and then beat the Netherlands 1-0 before smacking Bolivia around in a 4-0 route right before the start of the tournament. Aissa Mandi scored the opener in the 45th minute. Algeria made some subs out of the halftime gate, and one of those subs, Amine Gouiri, scored a brace in a matter of minutes to put the Africans up 3-0. The final goal came in the 61st minutes, just three minutes minutes after Gouiri’s brace, and it came from Anis Hadj Moussa to cap the 4-0 win over Bolivia and send this side flying into their opener against the top ranked team in the world. 

Last match: Argentina 

Argentina have rattled off seven straight wins heading into the World Cup, stretching all the way back to September of 2025. Their last tune up before starting the tournament was against Iceland and they had a fairly easy time against the Icelandic side. Barco scored the early goal in the 8th minute,  but it wasn't until Messi came on in the 70th minute that things really started to simplify for the Albiceleste. Messi sent in Laturo Martinez who provoked a penalty which Messi slotted home in the 72nd minute, just two minutes after getting subbed on to the pitch. Then he set up another goal that was polished off by Thiago Almada in the 86th minutes to wrap up a perfect exhibition tour before their title defense tournament. 

We are live from KC  

Hello everyone and welcome to Kansas City, Missouri where the defending World Cup champions have been preparing for a title defense for the last couple weeks, and tonight they take on an Algeria who know they have a chance to get out of this group and make some noise in the knockout rounds. If they can steal a point, or even a miraculous three points against Argentina the goal would become even more reachable, but they are playing the top ranked side in the FIFA World Rankings so expectations have to be realistic coming into this game. We get our first look at the World Cup champs from Qatar back in 2022 

Argentina vs. Algeria live 

Nearly a week into the tournament, and the defending champions will finally kick off their repeat bid for a second straight World Cup after winning it in Qatar back in 2022. Lionel Messi headlines a star studded Argentina side that will be looking to send their hero into the sunset with back-to-back World Cups but before they can look at the underlying goal of the tournament they have to get through group stages, starting with Algeria tonight. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight's game from Kansas City.