Will Messi play against Algeria? Argentina World Cup starting XI
Messi will be the first player to contest, on the field, six World Cups tonight in the match between Argentina and Argelina. Will he do so as a starter?
The day has arrived for Argentina to begin defending its title. La Albiceleste face Algeria tonight at Kansas City Stadium on U.S. soil in what will officially be Lionel Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance on the pitch, a milestone shared only with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set to make his sixth tournament appearance tomorrow for Portugal. A special mention also goes to Guillermo Ochoa, who is attending his sixth World Cup, although not as a starter.
Argentina head Group J, where they will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the battle for top spot. Lionel Scaloni’s primary objective is to guide his side into the knockout rounds in peak condition. If results go according to expectations, a meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal could await, although both teams would need to finish first in their respective groups.
Titular. pic.twitter.com/fb8G132hv2
— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) June 16, 2026
Will Messi play against Algeria?
Yes. Lionel Messi will start tonight’s World Cup match between Argentina and Algeria. Several outlets have confirmed his place in the starting XI, meaning the Inter Miami and Argentina captain will lead his side from the outset.
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Messi has fully recovered from the physical discomfort he experienced during Inter Miami’s most recent MLS match and is now fully focused on the World Cup. Argentina will be looking to defend the title they won in Qatar and establish themselves as contenders once again.
Alongside the No. 10, Gastón Edul has also confirmed the starting places of Lautaro Martínez, Cristian “Cuti” Romero, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández.
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