With Lionel Messi once again at the center of attention, the South American giant enters the tournament carrying the weight of history and the ambition of defending the crown won in Qatar four years ago. The wait is finally over for the reigning world champion as Argentina prepares to begin its 2026 World Cup journey with a Group J clash against Algeria in Kansas City. With Lionel Messi once again at the center of attention, the South American giant enters the tournament carrying the weight of history and the ambition of defending the crown won in Qatar four years ago. Argentina arrives in North America as one of the favorites to lift the trophy once again, while Algeria returns to the World Cup determined to prove it belongs among the global elite. The opening match could shape the direction of Group J, which also features Austria and Jordan, making a positive start crucial for both national teams. La Albiceleste is attempting to become only the third nation ever to win back-to-back World Cups, joining Italy and Brazil in one of soccer’s most exclusive clubs. Lionel Scaloni’s side earned its place in the tournament after finishing first in CONMEBOL qualifying for the first time since 2014. A dominant campaign included a memorable 4-1 victory over Brazil and saw Argentina collect 38 points from 18 matches. The world champion has also carried excellent form into the tournament. Seven consecutive victories in friendlies produced 21 goals while only one was conceded, reinforcing the belief that Scaloni’s squad remains one of the strongest in international soccer. Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring against Honduras. Despite those achievements, Argentina knows better than most that World Cup openers can be dangerous. The shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2022 tournament remains fresh in the minds of many players. Algeria arrives with confidence Algeria returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 after an impressive qualification campaign under Vladimir Petkovic. The Fennec Foxes topped their CAF qualifying group and finished among Africa’s highest-scoring teams. Their attacking strength was led by Mohammed Amoura, who scored 10 goals during qualification and was directly involved in 58 percent of Algeria’s total goals. Recent performances have also boosted confidence. Algeria defeated both the Netherlands and Bolivia in the build-up to the tournament and has conceded only twice across its last six matches. While Algeria has reached the knockout rounds only once in its World Cup history, the squad believes it can challenge for another historic run. Anis Hadj Moussa of Algeria celebrates scoring against the Netherlands. Experienced figures such as Riyad Mahrez, Ismaël Bennacer, Amine Gouiri, and Amoura provide plenty of quality throughout the team. Petkovic’s side will likely rely on defensive discipline and quick transitions as it attempts to frustrate one of the tournament favorites. Will Lionel Messi play? The biggest question surrounding Argentina’s opener has been whether Messi will be available after recently managing a hamstring issue. The answer is yes: Messi will start against Algeria and make his 200th international appearance for Argentina. The Inter Miami forward is also set to become the first player in soccer history to participate in six different World Cups. Messi enters the tournament with 13 World Cup goals and eight assists, while his influence on Argentina’s recent success remains enormous. During the 2022 triumph, he scored or assisted 10 of Argentina’s 15 goals. Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the international friendly match between Argentina and Iceland His record against Algeria also offers encouraging memories. The only previous meeting between the two nations came in 2007 when Argentina won 4-3, with Messi scoring the first international brace of his career. Argentina vs Algeria: Confirmed lineups Argentina XI (4-4-2): Emilian
Full preview of Argentina for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. The reigning champions Argentina arrive in North America looking to accomplish a feat not seen since 1962: defending their global crown. Argentina enters the 2026 World Cup as a resilient, battle-tested squad. Under head coach Lionel Scaloni, the South American giants have transformed from a team carrying the weight of historical expectations into a ruthless winning machine. While Lionel Messi remains the focal point, the Argentina 2026 World Cup squad boasts impressive depth and tactical flexibility. Expectations are sky-high following their dominant qualifying campaign. This World Cup 2026 team preview breaks down the tactical approach, coaching philosophy, and overall squad depth that could define their title defense. Team profile CoachLionel ScaloniCaptainLionel MessiNicknameLa Selección, La AlbicelesteFIFA ranking3rdConfederationCONMEBOLGroupGroup JBest World Cup resultWinners (1978, 1986, 2022)World Cup appearances19Last World Cup appearance2022 (Winners) How Argentina play Our Argentina tactical analysis reveals a fluid side that adapts seamlessly to the opponent. The Argentina formation frequently shifts between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2, depending on the game state.In possession, the team relies on a compact, highly technical midfield to control the tempo. Argentina key players like Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, and Rodrigo De Paul dictate the rhythm, allowing Messi the freedom to drift into dangerous pockets of space. Defensively, the squad is exceptionally disciplined. During their recent qualifying campaign, they restricted opponents to an average of just 6.56 shots per match. That defensive solidity resulted in just 10 goals conceded across 18 games. When transitioning into the attack, La Albiceleste utilizes the pace of Julián Alvarez and the finishing instincts of Lautaro Martínez. Their ability to strike quickly on the counter makes them dangerous against high-pressing teams. However, coach Scaloni does not usually play them together. This balanced tactical approach ensures the team remains difficult to break down while possessing the firepower to punish any mistakes. Lionel Scaloni: The coach behind Argentina Lionel Scaloni took charge of the national team in 2018 under heavy skepticism due to his lack of senior coaching experience. Since then, he has orchestrated one of the most successful eras in the country’s soccer history. The former right-back guided his nation to three major international trophies, ending a 28-year drought. His leadership style is grounded in emotional intelligence and pragmatism. Rather than forcing players into a rigid system, the Argentina coach builds his setup around the squad’s strengths. He has successfully fostered a relaxed, unified locker room, removing the intense pressure that previously hindered the team. Scaloni’s ability to manage egos and adapt his strategy mid-game will be crucial for navigating the challenges of the 2026 tournament. Key player: Lionel Messi Messi remains the heartbeat of the national team. Now operating primarily as a playmaker, the Inter Miami star continues to dictate the flow of the game in the final third. Despite stepping away from European club soccer, the veteran forward has maintained exceptional form. He tallied eight goals and three assists during the South American qualifiers, proving his decisive edge remains intact. Lionel Messi of Argentina (Getty Images). Entering the tournament with 117 international goals in 199 appearances, his experience and composure are irreplaceable. The team’s tactical setup is explicitly designed to maximize his creative output. If Messi suffers an injury, Scaloni would be forced to adjust his approach, either by replacing the captain with Nicolás Paz in a similar role or by tweaking the system to accommodate both Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez in the starting lineup. Argentina’
Spain were held to an unexpected draw as Cape Verde held on to secure a point in their first-ever World Cup game. The goalless result means the newcomers have a chance to reach the first knockout round while Spain will seek to bounce back from the shock in their next game against Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, France prepare to face Senegal, but will coach Didier Deschamps unlease his attacking power?
The Redmen TV's Dan Clubbe says Liverpool re-signing Darwin Nunez "might work" despite sounding "crazy". The Uruguay striker departed for Al-Hilal for £46m last summer but was left out of the Saudi Pro League side's squad for the second half of the season and is reportedly considering terminating his contract with the club. The 26-year-old has been linked with a return to Anfield, especially with Hugo Ekitike sidelined with a long-term Achilles injury.
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay, Dan Bardell and Sid Lowe as debutants Cape Verde earn a draw against the favourites SpainRate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.On the podcast today: their first ever game at a World Cup and Cape Verde hold Spain to a 0-0 draw after an utterly heroic defensive effort. Sid Lowe joins us to ask if this is just an early blip or if Spanish fans should be concerned. Continue reading...
Iran and New Zealand will square off in Matchday 1 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Here’s everything you need to know to watch this game live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Iran vs New Zealand on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Iran vs New Zealand WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT • Monday, June 15, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FS1, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Iran enters their opening match of the 2026 tournament as the clear favorite, backed by a strong qualification campaign and a higher FIFA ranking. However, their preparations have been significantly disrupted by geopolitical issues, casting a shadow of uncertainty over a team that otherwise looks poised to make a statement. For Team Melli, securing three points is essential to build momentum in a challenging group that also features Belgium and Egypt. New Zealand arrives in North America as the lowest-ranked nation in the competition, but this clash represents a golden opportunity to achieve a historic first-ever win at the finals. While their path to qualification was far less demanding, the All Whites are determined to prove they can compete on the global stage. For them, this match is less about pressure and more about seizing a rare chance to upset the odds and make history. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The journey to this tournament for these two nations could not be more different. Iran navigated a grueling 16-match AFC qualification gauntlet, suffering only a single defeat and demonstrating their quality against tough continental competition. In stark contrast, New Zealand dominated a five-match OFC qualifying schedule against lower-ranked opposition, raising questions about their readiness for this elite level. Tactically, this match projects as a clash between Iran’s technical skill and New Zealand‘s disciplined structure. Iran showcased a potent attack during qualifying, averaging an impressive 2.11 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes, complemented by a defense that conceded just 0.75 goals per game. New Zealand will likely adopt a defensive posture, looking to frustrate Iran and capitalize on counter-attacks or set-piece opportunities centered around their towering forward, Chris Wood. For both squads, the motivation is crystal clear: this is a must-win fixture. With European powerhouse Belgium and a strong Egyptian side rounding out Group G, securing an early victory is paramount to any hope of advancing to the knockout stages. A win here could pave the way for a potential third-place qualification spot, making the stakes incredibly high from the very first whistle. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, these two nations have met only twice, with Iran holding the advantage. Their most recent encounter was in the 2003 AFC-OFC Challenge Cup, where Iran secured a decisive 3-0 victory in Tehran. The only other meeting was a friendly match in 1973 that ended in a goalless draw. This will be their first-ever meeting in a major international tournament. With the last match played over two decades ago, past results offer little insight into the current dynamics of these teams. This fixture is a completely fresh encounter on the world’s biggest stage, with both sides entering uncharted territory. Iran has never faced a team from Oceania in the finals, while New Zealand has never played against an Asian confederation opponent in the tournament. Key statistical trends point toward a potentially low-scoring affair. Iran’s defensive solidity was a hallmark of their qualification run, and they have historically maintained a tight ship in tournament play. Meanwhile, New Zealand has struggled to find the net against higher-caliber opponents in recent friendlies, failing to score in seven of their last ten matches leading into the competition. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both teams are navigating key fitness concerns, with Iran
