Argentina has begun its campaign to defend its World Cup title against Algeria, with the match kicking off at 3:00 AM Dutch time. Lionel Messi led the Argentinian team in this opening game of the 2026 World Cup. Messi scored a notable goal, giving Argentina an early lead in the match. The game marks the start of Argentina’s journey to potentially win back-to-back World Cup championships. This match is highly anticipated as it showcases the reigning champions and the return of Messi to international competition. Algeria will attempt to challenge the titleholders in what is expected to be a competitive tournament. The result of this opening match sets the tone for Argentina’s performance throughout the World Cup.