Reigning World Cup champions Argentina will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament with a match against Algeria. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 AM Dutch time. Lionel Messi is included in the Argentinian squad and will participate in what will be his 200th international match. This will be Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance, as Argentina aims to defend their title. The match marks the start of a new journey for the Argentinian national team following their victory in the 2022 World Cup. This qualifying match is a crucial first step towards securing a place in the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.