The Argentina World Cup 2026 squad should need no reminding of the potential banana skin they face in the opening match of their title defence against Algeria in Kansas City .
Lionel Messi and co suffered one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history in 2022 when they lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their first Group C match in Qatar . That ended Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten run and while the 2021 and 2024 Copa America champions recovered to lift the World Cup, they will not have forgotten the ignominy.
Algeria are no pushovers either. They are ranked 28 in the world - Saudi Arabia were 51 when they stunned Argentina - and reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Riyad Mahrez is the star man in a squad packed with players who ply their trades in Europe’s top leagues, including Manchester City full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri , Marseille forward Amine Gouiri and Lille’s former Spurs midfielder Nabil Bentaleb .
Nevertheless, Argentina should get off to a successful start this time and our prediction is for Lionel Scaloni's holders to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 @ 4/1 .
Betting Odds
Argentina vs Algeria Betting Odds – 2026 World Cup
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Argentina | 4/11 | 73.3% |
Algeria | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Draw | 10/3 | 23.1% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Argentina are 4/11 favourites to beat Algeria , who are 8/1 for the win, with the draw at 10/3.
How to Watch
How to Watch Argentina vs Algeria
The World Cup Group J match is scheduled to begin at 02:00 BST on Wednesday and will be shown live on ITV1 .
Early Payout Offer
2+ Goals Early Payout at BOYLE Sports
Forget the sweat with BOYLE Sports' Early Payout offer! Back a team in the match betting market and if they go 2 goals ahead at any stage during the 90 minutes, your bet is settled as a winner, regardless of the final score. T&Cs apply.
Form Guides
Argentina Form Guide
Argentina had few issues sealing a return to the World Cup, finishing nine points clear in the CONMEBOL qualifying section. They kept 11 clean sheets in their 18 matches and also boasted the group's leading scorer, with Messi netting eight times .
It has been a similar story since losing 1-0 to Ecuador in their dead-rubber final qualifier, recording seven successive friendly wins while conceding just one goal - a consolation by Mauritania in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Messi struck in three of those games and, having confirmed this will be his last World Cup , the 38-year-old 's sights will be set on adding to his tally of 13 finals goals .
That is just three less than the all-time record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose and Messi , who takes Argentina’s penalties, is 4/5 to net against Algeria . We also like the look of Julian Alvarez to score in an Argentina win @ 7/5 . The 26-year-old, who is being linked with a mega-money move away from Atletico Madrid , has scored 10 goals in his last 19 matches for club and country.
Algeria Form Guide
Algeria were clinically efficient in reaching their first World Cup since 2014 , winning every qualifier apart from those against Guinea to finish seven points clear of the chasing pack , while scoring 24 goals and conceding only eight . Wolfsburg striker Mohamed Amoura contributed 10 of those goals, with only Norway’s Erling Haaland (16) and Qatar’s Almoez Ali (12) netting more during qualification.
Getting knocked out of the AFCON quarter-finals by Nigeria was a blow for the 2019 champions but they have responded well and come into the World Cup with an impressive body of work behind them. They thrashed Guatemala 7-0 and Bolivia 4-0 , saw off the Netherlands 1-0 in Rotterdam and drew 0-0 with Uruguay in Turin .
Amoura is yet to score for his country in 2026 but he is 7/2 to net against Argentina in our World Cup tips today while Feyenoord forward Anis Hadj Moussa , who has scored his first two international goals in Algeria’s last two matches - including the winner against the Netherlands - is 5/1 .
Betting Tips
Argentina vs Algeria Betting Tips
Argentina to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 @ 4/1
Julian Alvarez to score and Argentina to win @ 6/4
Mohamed Amoura to score at anytime @ 7/2
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
Not all opinions are equal. The BOYLE Sports Team is made up of experts who know the sports and betting world inside out, delivering the kind of insights and analysis that give you a real edge where it matters most.
