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World Cup 2026  /  Schedule  /  ARG v ALG
Group J · Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Argentina vs Algeria

🕒 9 PM ET📺 FOX · Telemundo📍 Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

The pick

66% ARG22% Draw12% ALG
Model scoreline 1-0Expected goals 1.89 – 0.65
DraftKings: ARG -250 · Draw +360 · ALG +800Consensus of 2 sources: 63% / 26% / 10%Others’ scoreline: 2-0

Win, draw, and loss probabilities and expected goals are from our team-strength model. Public consensus from 3 sources: Forebet (model), Dimers (model), PredictZ.

Head to head

Expected shapes: Argentina 4-3-3, Algeria 4-3-3.

Ruled out: ARG — Leonardo Balerdi · ALG — Ismael Bennacer

Argentina
vs
Algeria
Model rating
21341857
FIFA ranking
#3#28
Title odds
14.1%0.1%
Squad value (top 26)
€850M€198M
Players in top-5 leagues
75
Avg age (XI) · younger left
29.627.1
Squad strength by line (EA FC 26 ratings)
GKDEFMIDATT
ARGALG
Top players
Argentina
ST
Lautaro Martinez
Lombardia FC · 28y
88
PAC81
SHO88
PAS75
DRI84
DEF51
PHY83
Gamechanger ★EnforcerIncisive PassPower Shot
CM
Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool · 27y
87
PAC66
SHO82
PAS85
DRI85
DEF78
PHY76
Pinged Pass ★BlockDead BallGamechanger
ST
Julian Alvarez
Atlético de Madrid · 26y
87
PAC85
SHO87
PAS81
DRI87
DEF57
PHY79
Press Proven ★Finesse Shot
Algeria
RM
Riyad Mahrez
Al Ahli · 35y
84
PAC78
SHO80
PAS81
DRI88
DEF39
PHY63
Dead BallFinesse ShotFirst TouchIncisive Pass
LB
Rayan Ait Nouri
Manchester City · 24y
81
PAC84
SHO53
PAS76
DRI84
DEF77
PHY70
First TouchJockeyTrickster
ST
Mohamed Amine Amoura
VfL Wolfsburg · 25y
80
PAC90
SHO81
PAS71
DRI86
DEF47
PHY61
AcrobaticChip ShotGamechangerQuick Step

Key players to watch

ST Argentina
Lautaro Martinez
Lombardia FC · 28y
88
PAC81
SHO88
PAS75
DRI84
DEF51
PHY83
Gamechanger ★EnforcerIncisive PassPower Shot
CM Argentina
Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool · 27y
87
PAC66
SHO82
PAS85
DRI85
DEF78
PHY76
Pinged Pass ★BlockDead BallGamechanger
ST Argentina
Julian Alvarez
Atlético de Madrid · 26y
87
PAC85
SHO87
PAS81
DRI87
DEF57
PHY79
Press Proven ★Finesse Shot
RM Algeria
Riyad Mahrez
Al Ahli · 35y
84
PAC78
SHO80
PAS81
DRI88
DEF39
PHY63
Dead BallFinesse ShotFirst TouchIncisive Pass

Storylines

Lionel Messi reportedly expected to recover before Argentina's 2026 World Cup debut against Algeria

Messi suffered a left-hamstring muscle overload in Inter Miami's final MLS match but is reported on track to be fit for Argentina's June 16 opener against Algeria.

World Soccer Talk · 2026-06

2026 FIFA World Cup Group J preview: One last ride for Messi

Preview of Group J framing the tournament as a likely final World Cup for Messi, with Argentina overwhelming favorites over Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

amNewYork · 2026-06-06
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Player ratings are EA Sports FC 26 attributes, used here as a consistent, public proxy for player quality. Squad-level comparisons cover the players we could rate; coverage varies by team.