⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanWhat about Algeria? Even Maher Mezahi isn’t sure what to expect.Algeria are one of this World Cup’s great unknowns. On paper, this team has an impressive recent record: a friendly victory over the Netherlands made it 21 wins, four draws and three defeats from 28 matches under Vladimir Petkovic, with 67 goals scored. The problem is that it has been achieved against generally poor-quality opposition. Algeria’s qualifying campaign was a breeze, with Guinea and Mozambique – both considered Pot C sides on the continent – being their sternest tests.We can be pretty sure Petkovic will lean on his players’ technical quality, play attractive football, but leave gaps in behind the defence. What we don’t know is which players will be called upon for half the starting positions.The holders arrive at the World Cup with a squad that knows each other almost by heart but perhaps not with its players in peak physical condition – several had injury set-backs at the end of a very demanding season with their clubs. If everyone is fit, the coach will field many of the same players who were crowned champions in Qatar, with the exception of Ángel Di María, who no longer plays for the national team.Lionel Scaloni’s plan is to keep the 4-3-3 formation, with a solid defence featuring two centre-backs and two attacking full-backs, plus dynamic midfielders with excellent passing. Lionel Messi leads the charge once more, supported by the formidable Julián Alvarez and Thiago Almada, who could be the breakout star. Almost two thirds of the 2022 squad remains, but it now also includes some promising young players such as Nico Paz, who has been in excellent form at Como. They will also have established stars like Lautaro Martínez, who aims to be in top condition for this World Cup: something he couldn’t achieve in Qatar. Continue reading...
One of the biggest sporting events on the planet is about to begin. Starting on Thursday, the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The World Cup begins with the group stage, as the 48 teams in the field battle it out to secure one of the 32 spots in […]
Algeria kicks off its 2026 World Cup campaign against heavyweights Argentina, but winger Riyad Mahrez is the shock omission from the starting lineup. Algeria is set to clash with Argentina in their highly anticipated World Cup opener, but Al-Ahli star Riyad Mahrez will start the match from the bench in a massive tactical gamble by manager Vladimir Petkovic. The decision to drop the former Manchester City winger comes as a surprise, given that Mahrez started in Algeria‘s pre-tournament tune-ups—including a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands and a dominant 4-0 dismantling of Bolivia. Yet, Petkovic has opted for a fresh blueprint to counter the reigning world champions. Anis Hadj Moussa will get the nod to attack Argentina‘s left flank, replacing Mahrez in a dynamic, high-energy front three alongside forwards Ibrahim Maza and Amine Gouiri. Moussa was the hero who delivered the dramatic, late game-winner to sink the Netherlands and also found the back of the net in the blowout victory over Bolivia. HADJ FUCKING MOUSSA 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/5qE2TT9itH— Joël (@Joelstreepje10) June 3, 2026 Backed by that red-hot form, Petkovic is handing him a golden opportunity to start in a high-stakes blockbuster, stepping into the very role that the team’s biggest superstar has monopolized for years. Algeria confirmed lineup With the tactical puzzle officially solved, manager Vladimir Petkovic has locked in his starting lineup for Algeria’s highly anticipated 2026 World Cup opener against Argentina at Kansas City Stadium. Algeria XI (4-3-3): Luca Zidane; Rafik Belghali, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Fares Chaibi; Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa.
Surely nobody expected anything different. Erling Haaland arrival on the biggest football stage of all involved a match-defining performance. Kylian Mbappé had laid down a marker with two goals in France’s win over Senegal. Haaland responded in kind, courtesy of a first-half double of his own. The Manchester City striker’s quest for the Golden Boot depends on Norway enjoying a decent run in the event. Their hopes for that extended stay are so hugely reliant on Haaland. Theirs is a powerful combination. The name on the back of the shirt is different for club versus country – Haaland becomes Braut Haaland – yet the output is identically ruthless. This is a 25-year-old you simply cannot take your eyes off. Iraq did that twice and suffered as a consequence.Haaland used post-match media duties to contradict the sentiment of his international head coach. Ståle Solbakken had branded Haaland the finest goalscorer in the world on the eve of this game. Haaland pointed out his numbers had been bettered by Mbappé and Harry Kane during the 2025-26 season. He did, however, deliver a warning regards his level of intensity. “I think today you saw the same energy [as before],” Haaland said. “Of course we have to be happy but also stay calm.” Continue reading...
Ghana and Panama will meet at Toronto Stadium on Wednesday evening, as both nations begin their 2026 World Cup campaigns in Group L. Ghana will want to make a strong start in a difficult section that also includes England and Croatia, while Panama returns to the World Cup looking for its first win in its […] The post Prediction: Ghana vs Panama appeared first on SoccerNews.
