World Cup
2026-06-16 - Argentina vs Algeria
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: World Cup Group J Match Day 1
Tuesday 16th June 2026 - Kick Off 8pm (CST)
British Time 02:00am
Argentina
Dominating the South American World Cup Qualifiers will only have increased the confidence around an Argentina team that have won back to back Copa America tournaments as well as the last World Cup. Some of those who were involved in the success in Qatar are much more experienced now and heading into the prime of their careers, but this tournament will also be Lionel Messi's 'last dance'.
They will be heading to North America as the Number 1 Ranked team in the latest FIFA World Rankings and Argentina will be filled with confidence. Winning this Group would mean likely avoiding Spain and France until the Final next month, but Argentina's opening upset at the last World Cup will be a reminder that the team need to focus on each fixture as it comes and not worry about a potentially convoluted Knock Out Bracket.
Argentina were beaten in the final World Cup Qualifier, but they still finished 9 points clear of Ecuador in the section. The side have won 7 straight friendly games in preparation for the World Cup Finals and Argentina have showcased plenty of power and strength at both ends of the field.
Do You Know... Argentina are looking to become the first nation to defend the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.
Predicted Line Up: Emi Martinez, Molina, Tagliafico, Otamendi, Romero, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Paredes, Messi, Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez (4-3-3)
Algeria
The last time Algeria Qualified for the World Cup Finals they reached the Last 16 of the tournament hosted in Brazil in 2014 and earning a return to the Knock Out Rounds has to be the ambition in 2026. Opening up with a fixture against the World Champions is not ideal, but Algeria can play with 'nothing to lose' and there is quality within the ranks that will make them dangerous.
Vladimir Petkovic is an experienced manager and Riyad Mahrez is a familiar name to fans of English Premier League football. It should be said that Algeria came through a weak Qualifying Group ahead of Uganda and Mozambique, while the Quarter Final defeat to Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year has perhaps dampened some of the expectation.
Algeria are unbeaten in 4 friendly games played since that defeat to Nigeria and they will take encouragement from earning a draw with Uruguay and beating Netherlands in that run. They also won 8 of 10 World Cup Qualifiers in the last Group and Algeria will be confident they can earn enough points to earn a spot in the next Round of the 2026 World Cup Finals.
Do You Know... Algeria were the team affected by the 'Disgrace of Gijon' in the 1982 World Cup, which meant all future final Group games would be played at the same time to avoid the situation coming up again.
Predicted Line Up: Zidane, Belghali, Ait-Nouri, Mandi, Bensebaini, Zerrouki, Boudaoui, Maza, Mahrez, Chaibi and Amoura (4-2-3-1)
Head to Head
Argentina beat Algeria 4-3 in an international friendly played back in 2007.
Prediction
Four years ago, Argentina's bid to win a first World Cup since 1986 looked like it could suffer an embarrassing exit in the Group Stage when they were beaten by Saudi Arabia in the opening fixture.
The fact they recovered and managed to move through the tournament to pick up the World Cup will have given the national team a lot of confidence and they have continue to win big prizes.
Players like Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez are more experienced and have been playing at a high level and Argentina have shown they are pretty strong in both boxes.
Finishing top of the Group would likely mean avoiding some of the big favourites until the latter stages, while Argentina are very familiar with conditions in North America having won the Copa America in the United States in 2024.
Argentina will have to respect an Algeria team that have talent in the forward line and especially with a feeling that they can approach this fixture with some freedom.
An experienced manager and some experienced squad members means Algeria should not be overlooked, but Argentina have been very solid at both ends of the pitch.
They conceded just 10 goals in 18 World Cup Qualifiers and Argentina have only conceded once in the last 7 friendly games played.
Algeria have qualities that should help them create some problems, but Argentina have shown resilience at the back and have creative players that may just make the difference for them.
The Pick :
Argentina 2-0 Algeria
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Argentina Win to Nil at 2.00 with BetFred
