Argentina faced Algeria in their opening Group J match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, United States. Argentina lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Lionel Messi partnering Lautaro Martínez up front, while six players from the previous World Cup final retained their starting spots. The match marked Messi's sixth World Cup appearance, making him the first player in football history to feature in six different editions of the tournament. It was also his 200th official cap for Argentina.