Argentina Expected Starting XI for World Cup Opener vs Algeria

Defending champions Argentina are gearing up for their 2026 FIFA World Cup debut this coming Tuesday, but manager Lionel Scaloni is already turning heads with an unconventional starting XI during tactical drills. As La Albiceleste prepare to kick off their Group J campaign against Algeria in Kansas City, fitness concerns across the backline have forced the coaching staff into some highly unexpected structural changes.

According to training ground reports from ESPN, Scaloni grouped 10 specific outfield players together during tactical ball drills, offering a definitive glimpse into his projected lineup. While captain Lionel Messi and Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martínez are set to spearhead the attack, the real surprises lie in the makeshift defensive line.

The Predicted Starting XI and Tactical Blueprint

Based on the latest tracking from tactical sessions, Argentina is expected to shape up in a dynamic system designed to mask recent injury layouts.

Goalkeeper:

• Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez (Aston Villa) – Despite sustaining a fractured finger during the UEFA Europa League final, the Golden Glove winner has significantly increased his training workload and is locked in to start.

Defenders:

• Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid) – The biggest tactical gamble of the opener. With natural right-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina only just resuming group training after muscle injuries, the natural winger is tipped to fill in as an inverted right-back.

• Cristian "Cuti" Romero (Tottenham Hotspur) – Fully recovered from a recent knock, he will anchor the central defense.

• Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica) – The veteran presence bringing vital tournament experience to the heart of the backline.

• Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United) – With first-choice left-back Nicolás Tagliafico completely ruled out due to a stubborn soleus injury, the combative center-back will shift wide to occupy the left-back slot.

Midfielders:

• Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid) – Returning to his traditional high-intensity box-to-box engine role.

• Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – Operating as the primary deep-lying playmaker to dictate tempo from the base of midfield.

• Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – Tasked with linking transitions and occupying half-spaces in advanced central roles.

• Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) – The creative wildcard expected to operate just behind the frontline, drifting between the lines to break down Algeria's low block.

Forwards:

• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – The talismanic captain enters his historic sixth World Cup fully fit and operating with absolute positional freedom on the right inside channel.

• Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) – Preferred over Julián Álvarez to lead the line as the central target man after a prolific club season.

Encouraging Injury Boosts on the Bench

While the starting backfour looks heavily improvised, Argentina received massive news regarding squad depth. TyC Sports insider Gastón Edul confirmed that nearly the entire casualty ward has successfully rejoined first-team drills.

Julián Álvarez, Leandro Paredes, Nico Paz, Nicolás González, Nahuel Molina, and Gonzalo Montiel are all training at 100% capacity. This gives Scaloni immense tactical flexibility from the dugout if his experimental full-back pairing faces trouble early in the game.