Argentina and Algeria confirm their starting XIs

Holders Argentina and Algeria have confirmed their starting line-ups ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J clash. At Arrowhead Stadium, Argentina line up in a 4-4-2 and Algeria in a 4-3-3.

In Lionel Scaloni's Argentina, all eyes are on captain Lionel Messi, likely at his final World Cup. The star forms the front line alongside Lautaro Martínez. Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister take responsibility in midfield, with Facundo Medina and Thiago Almada out wide. Cristian Romero anchors the defence, with Emiliano Martínez in goal. Lisandro Martínez and Gonzalo Montiel also start at the back.

Vladimir Petković's Algeria stand out for their attacking power. Captain and centre-back Aïssa Mandi marshals the defence, while Luca Zidane, son of Zinédine Zidane, is in goal. Hicham Boudaoui and Ibrahim Maza carry the ball through midfield, with in-form Amine Gouiri joined in attack by Anis Hadj Moussa and Farès Chaïbi.

On paper, top-ranked Argentina are clear favourites. But Algeria's attacking quality could make this a tough test. In terms of absentees, Lisandro Balerdi misses out for Argentina through injury. The first three points in Group J are crucial for both teams' paths.

Starting XIs
Argentina (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, Li. Martínez, Tagliafico; Medina, De Paul, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, L. Martínez
Algeria (4-3-3): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri; Hadj Moussa, Boudaoui, Maza; Chaïbi, Gouiri, Bentaleb

Image: bolavip.com