Argentina open against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi’s 200th cap. Algeria back after 12 years. Everything you need to watch this Group J opener.
Argentina
Champions
|
VS
9 PM ET
Jun 16
|
Algeria
12yr absence
|
9:00 PM ET, Tuesday June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. US: Fox, Telemundo, Tubi (free). Argentina: TV Pública (free). UK: ITV1 / ITVX (free). Algeria: ENTV (free).
|
Date
Tue Jun 16
|
Kickoff ET
9:00 PM
|
Free US
Tubi
|
Kickoff Time by Country
 New York (ET) |
9:00 PM | Jun 16 |
| Kansas City (CT, local) |
8:00 PM | Jun 16 |
| Los Angeles (PT) |
6:00 PM | Jun 16 |
 Buenos Aires (ART) |
10:00 PM | Jun 16 |
 Algiers (CET) |
3:00 AM | Jun 17 |
 London (BST) |
2:00 AM | Jun 17 |
 Berlin (CEST) |
3:00 AM | Jun 17 |
 Paris (CEST) |
3:00 AM | Jun 17 |
 Dubai (GST) |
6:00 AM | Jun 17 |
 New Delhi (IST) |
7:30 AM | Jun 17 |
 Tokyo (JST) |
10:00 AM | Jun 17 |
 Sydney (AEST) |
12:00 PM | Jun 17 |
TV Channels by Country
|
Argentina TV PúblicaTyC SportsAFA Play
|
Algeria ENTVbeIN SportsbeIN Connect
|
 United StatesFoxTelemundoTubiPeacock
|
 United KingdomITV1ITVXBBC iPlayer
|
 GermanyARDZDFMagentaTV
|
 FranceTF1beIN SportsTF1+
|
Messi’s 200th cap, a title defence, and Algeria’s first World Cup in 12 years
Lionel Messi walks out in Kansas City carrying two records: his 200th Argentina cap, and his place alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the only men to play at six World Cups. Argentina are chasing what no side has done since Brazil in 1958 and 1962: back-to-back titles.
Match Preview
This is the match everyone in Group J has circled. Argentina arrive as the team to beat in the entire tournament. Scaloni has 17 of his 2022 World Cup winners available, with the spine of Emiliano Martínez in goal, Romero and Otamendi in defence, Mac Allister and Fernández in midfield, and Messi and Lautaro Martínez up front. Lautaro finished as Serie A top scorer again with 17 goals, and Argentina have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches.
Algeria are back at a World Cup for the first time since 2014 and carry genuine quality. Amine Gouiri (Marseille) and Mohammed Amoura led a front line that scored more goals in CAF qualifying than almost any other side. Captain Riyad Mahrez may be 33, but Ibrahim Maza, the Germany-born attacking midfielder, gives Petkovic a modern creative threat. Left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City) is one of the most dangerous attacking full-backs in the squad.
The central tactical question is how Algeria handle Messi. He drifts in from a wide right position, combining with Nahuel Molina overlapping. Aït-Nouri on Algeria’s left must track Messi while keeping his own attacking output. That mismatch will define the game.
|
Prediction
ARG 2-0
|
Goals
Under 2.5
|
BTTS
No
|
Pick
Messi scorer
|
Key Players
|
ARGENTINA Coach: Lionel Scaloni
|
ALGERIA Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
|
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
|
76,416
Capacity
|
1972
Opened
|
KC Chiefs
NFL home
|
6
WC matches
|
Arrowhead Stadium is home to three-time Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs and has hosted two Super Bowls. It holds 76,416 and stages six World Cup 2026 matches. June in Kansas City is warm (around 28C), though the evening kickoff should ease the heat.
Head to Head
|
1
wins |
1
Draws
|
1
wins |
Argentina 1-1 Algeria · Friendly · Nov 2010 · Geneva
Algeria 3-0 Argentina · Friendly · Nov 2018 (weakened squads)
Odds · Argentina vs Algeria
Argentina are strong favourites. Value in a clean sheet and Messi anytime scorer.
|
ARG
1.30
|
Draw
5.50
|
ALG
9.50
|
18+ only. Gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
Common Questions
What time does Argentina vs Algeria kick off?
Kickoff is 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (8 PM local CT). That is 2:00 AM BST on June 17, 10 PM in Buenos Aires, and 3 AM in Algiers.
What channel is Argentina vs Algeria on in the US?
Fox carries the English broadcast and Telemundo the Spanish call. Tubi streams the match free. Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Peacock also carry it.
Is this Messi’s last World Cup?
Almost certainly. Messi is 38 and this is his 200th international appearance and sixth World Cup, making him the first man alongside Cristiano Ronaldo to appear at six different finals.
How can I watch Argentina vs Algeria for free?
Tubi is free in the US. TV Pública is free in Argentina. ITV1 and ITVX are free in the UK. ENTV is free in Algeria. ARD and ZDF are free in Germany.
Where is the match being played?
At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. It holds 76,416 and hosts six World Cup 2026 matches.
Have Argentina and Algeria played before?
Twice, both friendlies, never competitively. This Group J opener is the first competitive meeting. Argentina drew 1-1 in 2010 and Algeria won 3-0 in 2018 against a weakened side.
What is Group J at the 2026 World Cup?
Group J contains Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Argentina are strong favourites to top the group, with Algeria and Austria expected to compete for second.
