Argentina begin title defence against ambitious Algeria

Doha, Qatar: Defending champions Argentina will launch their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign tomorrow (4am, Qatar time) when they face Algeria in a Group J encounter that marks the beginning of their quest to retain football’s most coveted trophy. zeppelin.cool

Standing across from them will be an Algerian side eager to make a statement in its return to the global stage after 12 years and challenge one of the tournament favourites.

The opening fixture is expected to play a key role in shaping Group J, which also includes Austria and Jordan.

While Argentina are widely tipped to finish top of the group, Algeria will view the match as an opportunity to gain momentum in a section where every point could prove decisive in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.

Argentina enter the tournament with much of the squad that delivered the country’s third World Cup crown in Qatar.

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez

Much of the spotlight will once again fall on captain Lionel Messi, who is appearing in a record sixth World Cup.

The Argentine legend arrives in what is expected to be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage, adding another chapter to a career already filled with historic achievements.

Alongside Messi, Argentina continue to possess an impressive collection of talent including Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez, giving the coach, Lionel Scaloni, a variety of attacking and tactical options.

Algeria, meanwhile, return to the World Cup determined to improve on previous appearances and remind the football world of their ability to compete against elite opposition.

The Desert Warriors will rely heavily on the creativity of captain Riyad Mahrez, whose experience at the highest level remains central to Algeria’s ambitions.

Among the players to watch in the Algerian squad is 20-year-old attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza, regarded as one of the country’s brightest emerging talents.

The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has attracted attention with his technical ability, vision, and composure in possession, earning a growing role within the national team setup.

The tournament’s opening rounds have often produced surprises, and Algeria will be eager to add its name to that list.

For Argentina, the goal is straightforward: to begin the defense of their title with three points and reaffirm their status among the leading contenders for the trophy.

For Algeria, the challenge is equally clear: frustrate the champions, seize any opportunity that arises, and potentially produce one of the early shocks of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Los Angeles, USA: A group of 13 World Cup teams on Sunday hit out at UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin over reported remarks in which he said this year’s expanded tournament would lead to many “completely uninteresting” matches.

In a joint statement, the 13 football associations including World Cup debutants Cape Verde, Curacao and Uzbekistan, said they “respectfully but firmly reject” Ceferin’s comments quoted in Slovenian newspaper Delo.

“For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match,” the joint statement read.

“To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognize the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world.”

In remarks by Ceferin reportedly made before the tournament, the UEFA chief said the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams this year -- up from 32 in 2022 -- would dilute the quality of the tournament.

“We have a lot of matches that are completely uninteresting,” Ceferin was quoted as saying by the paper.

The joint statement by the 13 teams said all nations participating at the World Cup “deserve respect.”

“Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world,” the statement said.

Doha, Qatar: Qatar are gearing up for their crucial Group B clash against co-hosts Canada with renewed belief after a gallant performance against Switzerland that earned them their first-ever World Cup point.

Al Annabi head into the contest brimming with confidence after their 1-1 draw in their opening match against group favourites Switzerland following a late equaliser.

They now face Canada in Vancouver on Friday (1am Qatar time).

As the two-time Asian champions prepare for the match, head coach Julen Lopetegui and his staff are working on the shortcomings exposed in the opening game with an aim of delivering a better performance.

Qatar’s determination was rewarded in remarkable fashion against Switzerland on Saturday. Deep into stoppage time, Homam Al Amin delivered a dangerous cross into the area where Boualem Khoukhi challenged Switzerland’s Miro Muheim in the air. Khoukhi’s header took a telling touch off Muheim before wrong-footing the goalkeeper and finding the back of the net, cancelling out Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty.

The equaliser sparked emotional celebrations among the Qatar players, who had spent long periods of the match resisting relentless Swiss attacks through disciplined and committed defending.

Khoukhi said the late goal reflected the team’s belief and refusal to surrender.

“We believed in ourselves until the last moment. We played a great match, and getting a point is much better than losing, especially since the opponent is a team of Switzerland’s calibre,” the seasoned defender told media on the sidelines of team’s training session.

“I am certainly very happy after leaving the match with a point, and we want to continue in the same way in the upcoming matches.

“We took a lot of risks in the last minutes, and we had to do that because we were behind in the score.

“A draw is better than a loss, and we have two very difficult matches ahead of us against Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and InshaAllah, we will be better than in the first match.”

Forward Edmilson Junior echoed the same sense of belief inside the camp, saying the result has given Qatar the confidence needed to push for an historic breakthrough.

“The point we earned against Switzerland feels like a victory, especially since the equaliser came in a fantastic way in the final moments against a strong team with a great reputation in Europe,” he said.

“I think Switzerland is the best team in our group, so coming away with a point and avoiding defeat will give us a lot of confidence before our next match in the World Cup.

He added that the squad was encouraged by the support from fans and determined to build on the draw in the upcoming matches.

“We are happy with the fans who came to support us. There were a large number of them, and this is important for us. The fans’ support will benefit us greatly in the upcoming matches.

“We are here to give our all. We will play each match without looking at the others, and we will fight to avoid defeat. Participating in the World Cup is a dream, and we will do our best despite the difficult weather conditions and high temperatures.”

Canada, however, present another stern examination. The co-hosts also celebrated a historic milestone after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, earning their first-ever point at a World Cup after losing all six matches in their previous appearances in 1986 and 2022.

Led by American coach Jesse Marsch, Canada boast considerable quality through Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies and Juventus forward Jonathan David.

Lopetegui expects an even tougher task against the home side.

“The next match will be the most difficult because it is against Canada, one of the host countries, and they will be playing in front of their fans,” the Spaniard said.

All four teams in Group B have one point apiece, with Switzerland set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Los Angeles on Thursday.