World Cup Comments Argentina vs Algeria LIVE Updates: Minute-by-minute coverage of the 2026 World Cup Group J game By Mauro Tognacca Updated on June 16, 2026 Follow us on Google! © Todd Kirkland/Getty Images Simone Arveda/Getty Images Argentina and Algeria kick off Group J With the competition already underway, the 2026 World Cup has a new group kicking off its action as Group J brings Argentina against Algeria . It is going to be interesting to see how fit Argentina are for this competition, as they arrived with many doubts in that regard. The main thing is that Lionel Messi seems ready to play in the tournament for the sixth time. For Algeria, this looks like a great chance to show their talent on the biggest stage. They certainly have the tools to trouble many teams with the dangerous pace their players bring in attack, which can cause problems for a lot of rivals. Advertisement Advertisement 08:45PM The referees The referees for this match are Szymon Marciniak (Main Referee - Poland), Tomasz Listkiewicz (Assistant Referee 1 - Poland), Adam Kupsik (Assistant Referee 2 - Poland), Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (Fourth Official - New Zealand), Isaac Trevis (Reserve Assistant Referee - New Zealand), Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Video Assistant Referee - Poland), Guillermo Pacheco (Assistant Video Assistant Referee - Mexico), and Armando Villarreal (Support Video Assistant Referee - USA). 08:30PM Their group Argentina and Algeria are in Group J, where they are competing against Austria and Jordan. Argentina must play Austria (June 22) and Jordan (June 27), while Algeria face Jordan first (June 22) before Austria (June 27). 08:15PM The antecedent These teams have only played each other once, on June 5, 2007, when Argentina won 4-3 at Camp Nou. Argentina's goals were scored by Lionel Messi (two), Carlos Tevez, and Esteban Cambiasso, while Algeria's goals came from Nadir Belhadj (two) and Antar Yahia. 08:00PM Confirmed lineups Argentina: E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Almada. Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Hadj Moussa, Chaibi, Gouiri; Maza. 07:45PM Algeria's list Tweet placeholder Advertisement Advertisement 07:30PM Argentina's list Tweet placeholder 07:15PM The stadium The venue for this match is Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It has a capacity of 76,416. 07:00PM Welcome! Welcome to live coverage of the match Argentina vs Algeria. 200+ Channels & Local Sports Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino) Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers Browse Offers Every MLS Match in One Place Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription) Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup Browse Offers Many Sports & ESPN Originals Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo) Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL Browse Offers 2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year Price: Starting at $8.99/mo Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League Browse Offers Home of the Premier League Price: Starting at $10.99/mo 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season Browse Offers Algeria Argentina Lionel Messi