Kansas city stadium

FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi-led Argentina launch their FIFA World Cup title defence at Kansas City Stadium against two-time African champions Algeria in Group J on Wednesday.

The match presents the second-ever meeting between the nations, with Argentina claiming a 4-2 victory in an international friendly in 2007 in their only previous encounter.

La Albiceleste makes a 19th overall and 14th consecutive appearance in a row at a FIFA World Cup, having won the cup in 1978, 1986, and 2022. They ensured they would be able to defend their World Cup title by qualifying in emphatic fashion with five games to spare. They finished top of the CONMEBOL standings, nine points clear of closest challengers Ecuador.