16/06/2026 12:06 - Deportes
Estadio de fútbol moderno repleto de aficionados con banderas argentinas y celestes y blancas, noche de mundial, césped verde impecable, atmosphere emocionante de debut mundialista
The wait is over. On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM (Argentine time), the Argentine National Team will take the field at Kansas City Stadium to play its first match in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The opponent will be Algeria, the African squad led by coach Vladimir Petković, in what promises to be an exciting duel within Group J.
Argentina arrives as defending champions after being crowned in Qatar 2022 and with a winning streak in their recent matches that positions them as clear favorites. The stadium, with a capacity of over 70,000 spectators, is expected to be packed with thousands of Argentine fans who traveled to the United States to support the Albiceleste (a nickname meaning 'white and sky blue,' referring to the team's iconic jersey colors).
It's home to the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL and one of the most iconic sports venues in the United States.
TV Channels: Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports, DSports (Argentine broadcast)
Streaming: Disney+, Paramount+, Flow
Head Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
The Polish referee is internationally recognized for his performance in major European competitions.
Lionel Scaloni is the coach who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. His team is affectionately called 'La Scaloneta' by fans (a play on words combining his last name with 'carreta,' meaning a wagon, implying the team is on a winning journey).
Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, plays his sixth World Cup at age 38. He currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Lionel Scaloni has called up a top-level team that combines experience and youth, with players standing out in the best leagues worldwide:
The African national team, which didn't qualify for Qatar 2022, returns to the World Cup with a promising generation. Their standout players include Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli FC), Amine Gouiri (Olympique Marseille) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City), footballers who shine in Europe's top leagues.
The Argentine National Team has a rich history in their first matches of each World Cup, with varied results showing the excitement of football:
| World Cup | Result | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Uruguay 1930 | Win 1-0 | France |
| Italy 1934 | Loss 2-3 | Sweden |
| Sweden 1958 | Loss 1-3 | West Germany |
| Chile 1962 | Win 1-0 | Bulgaria |
| England 1966 | Draw 0-0 | Spain |
| Germany 1974 | Loss 2-3 | Poland |
| Argentina 1978 | Win 2-1 | Hungary |
| Spain 1982 | Loss 0-1 | Belgium |
| Mexico 1986 | Win 3-1 | South Korea |
| Italy 1990 | Loss 0-1 | Cameroon |
| USA 1994 | Win 4-0 | Greece |
| France 1998 | Win 1-0 | Japan |
| Korea/Japan 2002 | Win 1-0 | Nigeria |
| Germany 2006 | Win 2-1 | Ivory Coast |
| South Africa 2010 | Win 1-0 | Nigeria |
| Brazil 2014 | Win 2-1 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Russia 2018 | Draw 1-1 | Iceland |
| Qatar 2022 | Loss 1-2 | Saudi Arabia |
Key fact: Argentina will seek to reverse the surprise of their Qatar 2022 debut, where they unexpectedly fell to Saudi Arabia, before going on to become champions. Scaloni's team showed an extraordinary ability to overcome adversity.
Argentina is part of Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 32, where the tournament's knockout phase begins.
The Argentine national team, currently ranked #1 by FIFA with 1,877.27 points and an estimated squad value of USD 924.5 million, arrives as favorites not only of the group but of the entire tournament.
With the dream of 50 million Argentines and the hope of repeating the glory of Qatar, the Argentine National Team begins its path in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams and 104 matches, a historic edition that promises unforgettable emotions.
Source: Argentine Football Association (AFA) - Official Website
Alfredo S. Quiroga
