Argentina vs Algeria at the 2026 World Cup: Messi Without Mahrez, Starting XI

The long-awaited 2026 World Cup has finally arrived, and Argentina is set to face off against Algeria in its first-ever match at the tournament. The game will take place at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, marking a significant moment for the two teams as they kick off their World Cup journey.

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's head coach, has unveiled his starting lineup, featuring some of the team's top talent, including Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, and Lautaro Martinez. Messi, who will be donning the Albiceleste, will be looking to lead his team to a sixth World Cup title, making history in the process.

The Algerian team, on the other hand, will be entering the tournament with a new and remade lineup. Vladimir Petkovic has opted for a mix of young and experienced players, leaving out stars like Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amoura from the starting lineup.

The Algerian side will look to capitalize on their defensive strength, with Ramy Bensebani at the helm, accompanied by Aissa Mandi, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rafik Belghali. The attacking force will be led by Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa, who will seek to find the opening in the Argentine defense.

Below, we take a closer look at the two teams' starting lineups and what we can expect from their respective strategies.

Argentina's Starting XI:

Emiliano Martinez (goalkeeper), Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi (captain), Lautaro Martinez

Algeria's Starting XI:

Luca Zidane (goalkeeper), Aissa Mandi (captain), Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaini, Hicham Boudaoui, Nabil Bentaleb, Ibrahim Mazza, Anis Hadj Moussa, Amine Gouiri, Tarik Tissoudali