16/06/2026 15:22 - Deportes
Estadio de fútbol Arrowhead Stadium en Kansas City iluminado de noche con gradas llenas de hinchas con banderas argentinas celebrando, césped verde impecable, atmosfera de Copa del Mundo 2026
The Argentine national team (known as "La Albiceleste" for their iconic white and sky-blue jerseys) is ready to begin defending the title they conquered at Qatar 2022. Led by captain Lionel Messi, the team managed by Lionel Scaloni will debut tonight in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, facing Algeria at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
The match is scheduled for 9:00 PM local time (10:00 PM Argentina time) and represents the first step for Argentina in their quest for another world championship.
Home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, this venue is one of the loudest stadiums in American sports. With a capacity of over 76,000, it will host several World Cup matches during the tournament.
Argentina currently holds the #1 position in FIFA's world rankings with 1,877.27 points. The squad's combined market value is approximately USD 924.5 million.
Lionel Scaloni has finalized the starting eleven, and the main surprise is in defense. The manager tested a three-center-back formation during preparations, but the team will ultimately start with a four-man backline.
The most notable news is the absence of Nicolás Otamendi from the starting lineup. The experienced defender, who recently signed with River Plate (one of Argentina's most prestigious clubs), will begin on the bench. Instead, Facundo Medina will partner with Cuti Romero in central defense.
Goalkeeper:
Defenders:
Midfielders:
Forwards:
In the weeks leading up to the tournament, there were concerns about players carrying injuries, but most have recovered and are available for selection. Nahuel Molina, who recovered from a muscle tear, will start at right back, though Gonzalo Montiel (who scored the decisive penalty in the 2022 final) is also available after recovering from a muscle issue.
Regarding Julián Álvarez, the coaching staff decided to wait for him to be at 100% for upcoming matches. The forward could play but will not start in the debut. Álvarez was a key player in Qatar 2022, scoring four goals in the tournament.
Algeria comfortably won their group in African qualifiers and arrives as a dangerous opponent. Although they didn't meet expectations in the Africa Cup of Nations (eliminated in quarterfinals), they have since posted convincing results: 7-0 vs Guatemala, 1-0 vs Netherlands, and 4-0 vs Bolivia.
Algeria's manager is Vladimir Petković, who previously coached Scaloni during the Argentine's playing days at Italian club Lazio. The Argentine coaching staff expects their opponents to adopt a defensive setup and exploit speed on counter-attacks.
Argentina is in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. This is the first World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches. Host countries are the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 16 | Algeria | Kansas City | 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 22 | Austria | Dallas | 1:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Jordan | Dallas | 9:00 PM |
In the United States, matches will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Telemundo. Streaming available on Fox Sports App and Peacock. International viewers should check local listings.
Sources: Infobae, CNN en Español
Alfredo S. Quiroga
