Argentina to start title defence against Algeria

FE Team | Published: December 06, 2025 22:02:05

WASHINGTON, Dec 06 (Agencies): Argentina and Lionel Messi will begin their World Cup title defense against Algeria as they aim to become the first team to retain the crown since Brazil in 1962.
Three-time champion Argentina also will play Austria and Jordan in Group J of the expanded 48-nation, 104-game festival, spread across 11 NFL stadiums plus three venues in Mexico and two in Canada.
"As we stated in 2022, there are no easy opponents; we have to play all the matches," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the draw. "On paper, it's a group where we have to give our all to advance to the next round."
Regarding Group J opponents, Scaloni said Austria "had a great qualifying campaign," and he noted that Algeria has "great players and a large youth academy that also feeds France and other countries." He also praised Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovi? as a "great one," recalling his time playing under him for Lazio in 2013.
Scaloni had a big role in Friday's draw as he was responsible for bringing the World Cup trophy to the stage.
"Holding the cup in my hand again was wonderful," he said. "Being able to touch it again is very moving. It's hard to explain."
The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a playoff winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.
Mexico's co-hosts the United States and Canada will join the biggest-ever World Cup party the following day. The US, courtesy of their top seeding, got a dream draw and will play Paraguay, Australia and a playoff winner.
Canada, also a top seed despite a world ranking of 27th, have it tougher against a playoff winner - possibly Italy - Switzerland and Qatar.
The draw for the expanded 48-team tournament, with six berths still to be filled via a series of playoffs, was hugely complicated due to various geographical sub-clauses.
Former England defender and MC Rio Ferdinand routinely returned balls to the metaphorical pot after "computer said no'.
Top-ranked and 2010 champion Spain has been drawn into Group H, where its opponents are Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. The runner-up of this group will face Argentina if the 'Albiceleste' win their group in a possible Round of 32 matchup.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, like Messi, is expected to play in a record sixth World Cup, has Group K matches against Uzbekistan, Colombia and Congo DR, Jamaica or New Caledonia. If Portugal and Argentina win their groups, Ronaldo and Messi could meet in a quarterfinal at Arrowhead Stadium.
"I'm very satisfied with the draw," Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha said. "Colombia will clearly be the most difficult team. We know their players very well, like Luis Díaz, who is in fantastic form, and we know Richard Ríos well."
Brazil and Scotland will face each other for the fifth time at the FIFA World Cup. They share Group C with Haiti and Morocco. The African team, considered one of the toughest sides in the draw after finishing fourth in Qatar 2022 and boasting a great generation of players, will debut against Brazil.
"We have to win our three group games. Our idea is very clear. We have to be competitive throughout the World Cup," said Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Four-time champion Germany plays Curaçao, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.
England, which won its only title in 1966, plays Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L.
Two-time champion France plays Senegal, Norway and Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname in Group I. Senegal beat defending champion France 1-0 in the 2002 opener.
The United States starts Group D against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California. The Americans play Australia six days later at Seattle, then face Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo on June 25 back at SoFi Stadium.
Mexico hosts the tournament opener at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11 against South Africa in Group A, a rematch of the 2010 opener in Johannesburg, a 1-1 draw. El Tri then meets South Korea and closes the first round against the Czechia, Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia. Forty-two of the teams have been determined and 22 are competing in playoffs for six berths that will be decided March 31.
Winners and second-place nations from the 12 groups advance to the new round of 32 along with the top eight third-place teams. All games from the quarterfinals on will be in the US, culminating in the July 19 final at East Rutherford, New Jersey.