Messi leads Argentina against Aljazair in Group J opener
New: the defending champions start Messi, Almada and Lautaro Martinez from the outset in Kansas City.
Argentina opened its bid to defend the 2026 World Cup title by facing Aljazair in the first Group J match in Kansas City, United States, on Wednesday morning WIB. Lionel Messi led the defending champions' attack alongside Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martinez in Lionel Scaloni's preferred lineup. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez formed the core of the team, with Emiliano Martinez protected by Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero and Facundo Medina. Aljazair, back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014, started Luca Zidane in goal and Aissa Mandi as captain of the back line. Vladimir Petkovic also fielded Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa to pressure the title contenders.