Preview: Argentina vs Algeria in first World Cup game in Kansas City

When Algeria and Argentina kick off Tuesday night at Kansas City Stadium (better known as Arrowhead), it will make history as the first World Cup match in Kansas City. The first of six matches in Kansas City as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will mark the first stage of Argentina’s attempt to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions in over 60 years.

Argentina (FIFA #1) are heavy favorites over Algeria (FIFA #28) and will be the first action for Group J. Austria (FIFA #24) and Jordan (FIFA #63) kick off later in the evening in Santa Clara. It will also be match between two of the four teams that chose Kansas City as their base camps. Both groups have been wildly popular during their time in the “base camp capital of the 2026 World Cup”, with Lawrence, KS, adopting Algeria and Argentina fans celebrating and dancing around the city.

Algeria, led by Vladimir Petković, are back in the World Cup after a 12-year absence. Their 2014 run was their best showing as they advanced to the round of 16.  The North Africans lost just once in ten matches during CAF qualifying for this World Cup.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni will be looking to avoid another opening match defeat this time around. They lost their first match in group play 2-1 to Saudi Arabia but still won their group. La Albiceleste beat France in dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over 2018 champions France in Qatar. This edition of the World Cup has already seen some powerful teams not get the victories they were expected to earn. One of the tournament favorites Spain (FIFA #2) could not break the defense of Cabo Verde (FIFA #67) wit the match ending scoreless.

Messi

It is no secret that many planning to be at the stadium or tuning in, will be hoping to see Lionel Messi in his sixth and possibly (probably) final World Cup for the global superstar. Messi turns 39 in a few days and is expected to retire from international competition following this World Cup. In 2022 he added the one thing missing from his immense collection of trophies and honors when he helped lead Argentina to the 2022 World Cup win in Qatar. With one last shot, he’s hoping to lead his country to the first consecutive World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962. Messi needs four goals to pass up Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16.

Messi in training | Credit: Thad Bell

“I think I said about Leo, not just us Argentines, but the whole world wants to see him on the field, wants to see him, see him play because that’s what he causes in the whole world not just Argentines,” Scaloni told media Monday in his pre-match press conference. “It’s always been like this for me. I don’t see anything negative, sincerely, with him on the field.

“He’s been in different conditions, but he always has been there and always has been fundamental for us. Now, he’ll be even more important, and he looks good.”

Officials

Referee: Szymon MARCINIAK (POL)

Assistant referee 1: Tomasz LISTKIEWICZ (POL)

Assistant referee 2: Adam KUPSIK (POL)

Fourth official: Campbell-Kirk KAWANA-WAUGH (NZL)

Reserve assistant referee: Isaac TREVIS (NZL)

Video assistant referee (VAR): Tomasz KWIATKOWSKI (POL)

Assistant VAR (AVAR): Dennis HIGLER (NED)

Support VAR: Mohammed Obaid KHADIM (UAE)

Algeria records

FIFA WORLD CUP™ TEAM RECORDS

Overall record: P: 13 W: 3 D: 3 L: 7 F: 13 A: 19 GD: -6

Biggest win: 4-2 v. Korea Republic (group stage, 22/06/2014)

Biggest defeat: 0-3 v. Spain (group stage, 12/06/1986)

Highest-scoring draw: 1-1 (twice) – the last of which was v. Russia (group stage, 26/06/2014)

Highest-scoring match: 6 goals – Korea Republic 2-4 Algeria (group stage, 22/06/2014)

Most goals scored in a match: 4 – Algeria 4-2 Korea Republic (group stage, 22/06/2014)

Most goals conceded in a match: 3 – Algeria 0-3 Spain (group stage, 12/06/1986)

Most goals scored at a FIFA World Cup: 7 – 2014 (4 matches)

Fewest goals scored at a FIFA World Cup: 0 – 2010 (3 matches)

Most goals conceded at a FIFA World Cup: 7 – 2014 (4 matches)

Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA World Cup: 2 – 2010 (3 matches)

Argentina records

FIFA WORLD CUP™ TEAM RECORDS

Overall record: P: 88 W: 47 D: 17 L: 24 F: 152 A: 101 GD: 51

Biggest win: 6-0 (twice) – the last of which was v. Serbia and Montenegro (group stage, 16/06/2006)

Biggest defeat: 1-6 v. Czechoslovakia (group stage, 15/06/1958)

Highest-scoring draw: 3-3 v. France (a.e.t., W 4-2 on pens, final, 18/12/2022)

Highest-scoring match: 9 goals – Argentina 6-3 Mexico (group stage, 19/07/1930)

Most goals scored in a match: 6 (four times) – the last of which was Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro (group stage, 16/06/2006)

Most goals conceded in a match: 6 – Argentina 1-6 Czechoslovakia (group stage, 15/06/1958)

Most goals scored at a FIFA World Cup: 18 – 1930 (5 matches)

Fewest goals scored at a FIFA World Cup: 2 (three times) – the last of which was 2002 (3 matches)

Most goals conceded at a FIFA World Cup: 12 – 1974 (6 matches)

Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA World Cup: 2 (twice) – the last of which was 2002 (3 matches)