2026 FIFA World Cup Qatar: Group J - Argentina vs. Algeria

I got news for you, pal...

Check your math...

 

I know that much... But I thought it had more to do with 20 years flying by... That's what I got out of it... I remember that Serbia game like it was yesterday. It was an early morning kickoff and man, what a showing. Good times.

 

Speaking of Algeria, they will be participating in the African Cup of Nations this December - January. Good to 'scout' them just to see how they do, but better to do that in the knockout stages. The Group stages don't have any interesting matchup ups that involves Algeria.

 

Algeria showed well their last two WC appearances. Should be an interesting first match. Always liked watching Mahrez play.

 

Well they looked pretty good to start the AFCON scoring plenty and not conceding, but needed a lucky strike in the 119th minute to get past DR Congo and now lose 2-0 in a quarterfinal to a Nigerian side that failed to qualify for the World Cup. Looking back they had a pretty easy group in WC qualifiers so maybe this shows their ceiling and inconsistency.

 

Most of the time a team that gets hot during the major tournament itself would be the one that win it or progress far. Germany being unbeaten in 2018 qualifier or Serbia topping 2006 qualifier, its proof to be meaningless.

 

I didn't had the opportunity to watch any games (I will try later on as we get closer to the WC), but just judging by this tweet alone, the team is not looking good

🇩🇿⚽️ If this is the team we're going to the World Cup with, then there's no point going

Luca Zidane, Aissa Mandi, Ramiz Zerrouki, Riyad Mahrez .. thanks but no thanks. pic.twitter.com/x8gJs6Rg5i

— Algeria FC (@Algeria_FC) January 10, 2026

 

Kits for this match.

 

Lol, and Algerian goalie is going to like he's playing for Sweden in the all yellow outfit. Do you reckon anyone ever buys a replica goalkeeper top?

 

Netherlands vs. Algeria later today should be interesting to scout.

 

This is a very weak Algeria team one of their worst to be at a World Cup. If we cannot dismiss them and Jordan with a healthy goal difference might as well not bother.

 

Netherlands should at least be up by a couple. Algeria not playing their best 11 here, especially in midfield, but we should beat these no matter their lineup. Sidenote; Van de Veen’s recovery pace is absolutely laughable.

 

Algeria ALOT better with some of their more important players subbed in. Might be for the best for us if Mahrez plays tbh, he is done.

 

Tbf Netherlands subbed almost all their players but second half I’d say Algeria been the better team. Have some tidy players, Hadj Moussa scoring a belter just now.

 

opponent watch: Algeria just beat netherlands! 1-0.

Not an easy team.

 

Really good team in the counter, if our midfielders or Messi lose one too many balls we could be in trouble.

 

Their game plan is obvious, they will try to neutralize us on the first half while giving up possession to bunker, then sub in Maza and today's scorer to put pressure on us during the 2nd half, hoping we suffer from tired legs and/or frustration (which has happened before in games we didn't manage to put away beyond 1-0 scores).

Their coach is rather defensive, I'm confident he won't start the youngsters and instead choose experience against a powerhouse opponent.

 

That's a good thing. Maybe just maybe Scaloni will finally wake up and smell the mate.

 

If only friendlies means something, Mexico tied Portugal recently. I dont think anybody thinks USA is a darkhorse because they beat Uruguay 5-1. Friendies results has always been random.

 

🚨 Lionel Scaloni 🇦🇷 ya tiene un once ideal en su cabeza para enfrentar a Argelia 🇩🇿 en el primer partido del Mundial 2026 🗺️:

Dibu Martínez;
Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico;
De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Palacios, Mac Allister;
Messi y Julián Álvarez.

Thiago Almada saldría del… pic.twitter.com/l37ifGgJU5

— Fútbol Fichajes (@FutbolFichajes) June 8, 2026

If this is true...

Otamendi and Cuti in the back?

Palacios and RDP in the midfield?

 

The 2024 Copa showed us that Scaloni wants Cuti - Licha in the back, the only way Otamendi would start is because one of them isn't fit.
I know it was a friendly against Honduras, but both Palacios and RDP had a good game the other day, I prefer Paredes over Palacios though

 

Or to save Lisandro and Romero for the knockout rounds. Start the rotation in the group stage. Honestly, Otamendi should be fine in this round. He is a leader, warrior, inspiration for this team and no one can question his heart.