Algeria vs Argentina Tips, Odds & Prediction for World Cup 2026

* Odds supplied by Betway and accurate when this preview was written.

The world champions open their title defence against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and the ball is kicked off at 03:00 CAT on Wednesday, June 17. Lionel Scaloni has every big name available, with Lionel Messi leading a squad for what is likely his last World Cup. Vladimir Petkovic's Algeria come in on a good run, having hammered Guatemala and beaten the Netherlands in June. I think Argentina will run this Group J opener, but Algeria's counter attack is dangerous enough to be taken seriously. Every one of our World Cup betting tips sits in its own dedicated section.

Algeria

This is Algeria's first trip to the World Cup since 2014, and as I see it Petkovic has put together a team that can punish anybody in transition. At 35, Riyad Mahrez is still the man who makes them tick, while the speed of Mohamed Amoura and the forward runs of Rayan Ait-Nouri stretch teams out wide. Amoura is fully fit and in great scoring form after finding the net in the game that sealed qualification, and there are no new injury worries in the camp. I expect Algeria to defend deep and rely on their forwards to hurt Argentina if the champions switch off.

Expected Lineup: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Chaibi; Mahrez, Aouar, Amoura; Gouiri.

Argentina

Argentina are looking frightening, and although Algeria have some quality of their own, I think there is a big difference in class between the sides. Scaloni's build-up went smoothly, with a 3-0 victory over Iceland and a 2-0 victory over Honduras, and he has nobody injured. Messi will run the show behind Lautaro Martinez, the leading scorer in Serie A this season, and Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister bring control and aggression to the middle of the park. I think the champions will have most of the ball and the clearer openings from start to finish.

Expected Lineup: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez, Almada.

Argentina are simply too strong in every department, and I think they will go ahead and then manage things sensibly in the heat of Kansas City. Algeria will carry some danger on the break, but I do not see them shutting out Messi and Lautaro Martinez for a full ninety minutes. My forecast: Algeria 0 Argentina 2.

BTTS: No (1.60)

My pick is BTTS: No, because I think Argentina's back line, organised by Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, will shut out a team that can go long periods without scoring. Algeria piled on goals against lesser sides, but Argentina are a completely different level of opponent. At 1.60 this is the most reliable value bet available.