Argentina vs Algeria world cup 2026
Lionel Messi’s record 6th World Cup begins as defending champions Argentina face Riyad Mahrez’s Desert Foxes at Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City. Scaloni vs Petković in a Group J opener for the ages.
Argentina
South America · Group J
VS
9:00 PM
ET · Jun 16
Algeria
Africa · Group J
Quick Answer
Watch in 30 seconds
📺 Watch Argentina vs Algeria on Fox / Telemundo in the USA, TyC Sports / TV Pública in Argentina, EPTV / beIN Sports in Algeria, BBC iPlayer free in the UK, and beIN Sports across MENA.
Date
Jun 16, 2026
Kickoff
9:00 PM ET
Free Watch
TV Pública · BBC
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🇦🇷 ARG Win
1.30
Draw
5.50
🇩🇿 ALG Win
9.50
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Kickoff Time in Your Country
Argentina vs Algeria kicks off at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 (8:00 PM CT local Kansas City, 10:00 PM ART Buenos Aires).
Where to Watch by Country
Official rights holders with free options highlighted in green.
Argentina
Algeria
United States
United Kingdom
MENA Region
France
Satellite Frequencies
Tap any satellite below to view every channel broadcasting the World Cup 2026.
Es’hailSat 25.5°E / 26°E
Symbol Rate: 27500 · FEC: 2/3 · DVB-S2 8PSK · H = Horizontal · V = Vertical
11013 H11054 H11310 H11350 V11390 H11430 VEs’hailSat 25.5°E / 26°E
Symbol Rate: 27500 · FEC: 5/6 · DVB-S2 · Free Qatar broadcasters
10971 V10971 VArabsat Badr 26°E
Symbol Rate: 27500 · FEC: 5/6 · DVB-S2 (Saudi Arabia)
12169 VEutelsat 8 West B / Nilesat 7°W
Free Moroccan and Algerian broadcasters
12604 H11881 V12380 H
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Recent Highlights
Catch up on both teams ahead of kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium, one of the loudest venues in the NFL.
Argentina Recent Form
Friendly 5-0 vs Zambia · 2026
Algeria Recent Form
Qualifier 3-0 vs Somalia · 2025
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Argentina vs Algeria Prediction
Argentina arrive as defending champions, looking to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 (though three of the last four defending champions have crashed out in the group stage). Lionel Scaloni has won 2022 World Cup, 2021 Copa America, and 2024 Copa America. Captain Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, 38) is set for his record-breaking 6th World Cup and only needs three more goals to break the all-time tournament record of 16. Stars include Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter, Copa 2024 top scorer), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, 2022 Golden Glove). Recent form: 5-0 win over Zambia at La Bombonera on March 31 in Messi’s likely final home match (Messi goal + assist). Di María retired, Camavinga-equivalent Paulo Dybala omitted.
Algeria return to the World Cup after 12 years away, missing 2018 and 2022. The Desert Foxes are led by Bosnian-Swiss coach Vladimir Petković (ex-Switzerland boss who took them to 2018 WC and Euro 2020/2024). Captain Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli, 35, 88 caps, ex-Manchester City) provided the creative spark in qualifying. Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg) was the African qualifier top scorer with 10 goals. Other key players: Ismaël Bennacer (Milan), Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund), Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolves), Aïssa Mandi (Villarreal), Amine Gouiri (Marseille), and Luca Zidane (Granada, son of Zinedine, switched allegiance from France). AFCON winners 2019. Petković said about the draw “Argentina is the best. We, Austria, and Jordan are all fighting for second place.”
Best bet: Argentina to win is the obvious call given the gulf in class, with Messi expected to start in his final World Cup. The only senior meeting between the two was a 4-3 friendly thriller in Barcelona back in 2007. Over 2.5 goals has value with Argentina’s attacking depth. Messi anytime scorer or Julián Álvarez anytime scorer are smart picks. Algeria are dangerous on the counter through Mahrez but shouldn’t threaten the result.
Likely Winner
🇦🇷 Argentina
Total Goals
Over 2.5
BTTS
No
Score
3 – 0
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Key Players to Watch
The standout names who could decide this Group J opener.
ARGENTINA
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Lionel Messi (C)
Forward · Inter Miami, 6th World Cup
Julián Álvarez
Striker · Atlético Madrid
Lautaro Martínez
Striker · Inter Milan
Enzo Fernández
Midfielder · Chelsea
Emiliano Martínez
Goalkeeper · Aston Villa
ALGERIA
Coach: Vladimir Petković
Riyad Mahrez (C)
Winger · Al-Ahli, 88 caps
Mohamed Amoura
Striker · Wolfsburg, 10 qualifier goals
Ismaël Bennacer
Midfielder · AC Milan
Rayan Aït-Nouri
Defender · Wolves
Luca Zidane
Goalkeeper · Granada
Match Venue
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri · FIFA: Kansas City Stadium
Capacity
76,416
Opened
1972
Location
Kansas City
WC Games
6
Opened in 1972, Arrowhead Stadium is the home of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes). The venue is famous for being one of the loudest in American sports, holding the Guinness World Record for crowd noise (142.2 dB). Located in the Truman Sports Complex with Kauffman Stadium (KC Royals). Hosts 6 World Cup matches including the Round of 32 and a Quarterfinal on July 11. Algeria also play here vs Austria on June 27. Reachable via Connect KC 26 motorcoach buses (no rail).
Head-to-Head Record
Argentina and Algeria have met just once at senior level, in a high-scoring friendly in Barcelona back in June 2007. La Albiceleste edged a seven-goal thriller, with both attacks finding plenty of space. This Kansas City clash is their first ever competitive meeting and the first World Cup encounter between the two nations.
1
🇦🇷 ARG Wins
0
Draws
0
🇩🇿 ALG Wins
Previous Meeting
🇦🇷 Friendly (Barcelona, June 5, 2007): Argentina 4 – 3 Algeria
Both teams attacked freely in a seven-goal thriller at the Mini Estadi. Argentina prevailed in their only previous senior international encounter, with Algeria pushing the South American side all the way.
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Console
Xbox · PS5
Frequently Asked Questions
In the United States the match airs on Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming on FuboTV and Peacock. Argentine fans can watch on TyC Sports, TV Pública (free), Telefé (free), and DSports. Algeria viewers get coverage on EPTV Terrestre, Canal Algérie (free), and beIN Sports. BBC One and BBC iPlayer stream the match free in the UK. beIN Sports covers MENA. TF1/M6 carry the match free in France.
Kickoff is 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday June 16, 2026 (01:00 GMT Wednesday). That works out to 8:00 PM CT local in Kansas City, 6:00 PM PT in Los Angeles, 10:00 PM ART in Buenos Aires, 2:00 AM Wednesday CET in Algiers, 2:00 AM Wednesday BST in the UK, 5:00 AM Wednesday GST in Dubai, and 6:30 AM Wednesday IST in India.
Yes. TV Pública and Telefé are free in Argentina, EPTV and Canal Algérie are free in Algeria, BBC iPlayer and ITVX are free in the UK, TF1 and M6 are free in France, CTV is free in Canada, SBS is free in Australia, and Alkass is free across MENA.
Connect ExpressVPN or NordVPN to an Argentine server for TV Pública, a UK server for BBC iPlayer or ITVX, a French server for TF1, an Algerian server for EPTV, or your home country server while traveling abroad. Only use a VPN with services you legally subscribe to.
Fox carries the English broadcast and Telemundo handles Spanish. You can watch through FuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Peacock.
beIN Sports HD 1 is at 11013 H on Es’hailSat 26°E. The full satellite frequency list is in the section above.
Argentina are heavy favorites as defending champions with Lionel Messi leading them into his record 6th World Cup. The squad is stacked with Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, and Cristian Romero. Algeria coach Vladimir Petković himself called Argentina the clear group favorite. Mahrez, Bennacer, and Amoura give Algeria threat, but Argentina should control the match. Our prediction is a 3-0 Argentina win. The only previous meeting was a 4-3 friendly in Barcelona 2007.
1XBET has competitive odds for this Group J opener featuring defending champions plus a welcome bonus up to $130 for new users. Always gamble responsibly.
More Matches to Watch
Catch the rest of Group J and other key matches on Watch to Football.
🇦🇷 Argentina Remaining Group J
🇩🇿 Algeria Remaining Group J
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