Argentina vs Algeria Odds, Tips & Predictions: World Champions to Start with a Win?

World champions Argentina begin the defence of their trophy with a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J matchup with Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Although the Algerians will be no pushovers, the Argentinians will be gunning for all three points on matchday one in Group J. Can they kick off their World Cup defence with a routine group victory in Missouri?

Argentina vs Algeria Picks & Preview

Lionel Scaloni's men are in the mix to win the tournament again, according to the latest Argentina World Cup odds. They were excellent in Qatar four years ago, beating France on penalties in a thrilling final in Lusail.

Argentina are one of the most successful nations in World Cup history, lifting the trophy three times. However, the triumph in Qatar in 2022 was their first World Cup success since Mexico 1986.

Algeria are participating in their fifth World Cup and their first since reaching the Round of 16 in Brazil in 2014. They failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but the Desert Warriors are back on the grandest stage after winning eight of ten qualifiers.

Argentina are a team in fine form, winning seven matches in a row since losing to Ecuador last September. Earlier this month, they picked up World Cup warm-up victories over Honduras and Iceland, netting five goals and conceding none along the way.

Going by the latest World Cup Group J odds, Argentina are the strong favourites to progress to the knockout phase as group winners. They should be too hot to handle for the Algerians, and 10Bet’s price of evens for Argentina to be winning at half time and full time stands out.

Our Prediction: Argentina HT/FT – Evens

Argentina vs Algeria Odds & Tips

Argentina have been stubborn in defence lately, not shipping since Jordan Lefort netted late on for Mauritania in March. They have since kept clean sheets against Zambia, Honduras, and Iceland, scoring ten times to boot.

Scaloni’s side suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup. However, they responded with back-to-back 2-0 victories to progress to the knockout phase as Group C winners.

Argentina’s defence is tough to breach, and we are backing the world champions to start their World Cup campaign with three points and a clean sheet at Arrowhead Stadium. Take a punt on the Argentinians to win to nil at 11/10.

Our Prediction: Argentina to Win to Nil – 11/10

Argentina vs Algeria Predictions

The 2026 World Cup is likely to be Lionel Messi’s final major tournament for his national side. The captain was instrumental four years ago, scoring seven goals and winning the World Cup Golden Ball.

Messi is, without question, one of the greatest of all time, scoring 117 goals for Argentina since making his senior debut over two decades ago. Also, he is set to make his 200th national team appearance against Algeria, and it would be fitting for the skipper to fire his country to all three points.

Messi could be in the running to be the player of the tournament again, currently priced at 11/1 in the World Cup Golden Ball odds. The Inter Miami ace will be desperate to guide his nation to even more World Cup success this summer.

All eyes will be on Messi as he makes another landmark appearance for Argentina. The No. 10 loves stealing the limelight, and we can see the 38-year-old putting on a show in Kansas City. Check out the tempting odds of 6/5 for Messi to score in an Argentina victory.

Our Prediction: Lionel Messi to Score & Argentina Win – 6/5

Odds taken from 10Bet at 10:59 UK time, on June 16