World Cup 2026: Argentina vs Algeria lineups – Inter’s Lautaro leads line for star-studded Albiceleste

Argentina vs Algeria features a wealth of Serie A connections, headlined by Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, who starts alongside Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada in a formidable attacking trio for the Albiceleste.

Como’s Nico Paz, one of Serie A’s breakout stars this season with six goals and nine assists, is among the substitutes for their World Cup opener while Juventus’s Nicolás González, who spent last season on loan Atletico Madrid, is also in the squad.

 

The Serie A history runs deep across the entire Albiceleste party, Cristian Romero was Serie A’s Best Defender at Atalanta, Rodrigo De Paul spent five seasons at Udinese, Nahuel Molina was De Paul’s Udinese teammate, and Leandro Paredes had extensive time at Roma across multiple spells.

Molina features on the bench while Romero stars alongside Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez in central defence.

Juventus linked Emiliano Martinez starts in goal.

For Algeria, former Roma midfielder Houssem Aouar starts on the bench, having made 16 Serie A appearances for the Giallorossi in 2023-24.

Relegated Hellas Verona’s Rafik Belghali, however, is in the starting eleven.

Argentina vs Algeria – World Cup Lineups

Argentina: E.Martinez; Montiel, Romero, L.Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro, Almada.

Algeria: Zidane; Bensebaini, Mandi, Belghali, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Chaibi, Bentaleb, Maza, Gouiri, Hadj Moussa.