The 2026 World Cup will see Lionel Messi and Argentina open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16, with the showdown scheduled for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The match is set to kick off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will be televised in the United States on FOX, with live streaming available through FuboTV, DirecTV and SlingTV.
A Milestone Clash in Kansas City
At 38 years old, Messi is widely expected to play his final World Cup, having already amassed a record number of points, appearances and minutes in the tournament. He currently shares fourth place on the all‑time World Cup scoring list with 13 goals, trailing only behind Miroslav Klose’s 16‑goal benchmark that he hopes to surpass.
Algeria, making its first World Cup appearance since 2014, enters the tournament as a clear underdog, carrying +750 odds against the South American champions. Yet the North African side has shown encouraging form, having secured recent wins over Bolivia and the Netherlands, and played to a 0‑0 draw with Uruguay in a pre‑tournament friendly.
The encounter promises to blend legacy with ambition: Messi’s pursuit of a historic goal tally will be measured against Algeria’s desire to prove its competitiveness on the world stage. Fans in the United States and beyond will watch closely as the two teams vie for an early advantage in the group.