Lionel Messi and reigning World Cup champions Argentina look to start this tournament better than the last and finish just the same.

Lawrence natives have appeared on Algerian television, telling reporters how excited they are to have the team in the city for its World Cup prep. Team Algeria — its coaches, players and support staff — is making its base camp in Lawrence for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup ( Shop Fan Gear).

View the Jordan vs. Algeria game played on June 22, 2026. Box score, stats, play-by-play timeline, highlights, odds & more

Veteran defender Ramy Bensebaini will reportedly miss Algeria's World Cup opener against Argentina, creating a major challenge for the African nation.

Group J of the 2026 World Cup promises high drama, blending the pedigree of the world champions with the defiance of teams hungry for glory. Which players should you keep an eye on? 🇦🇷Lionel Messi.

Injured during Argentina’s warm-up matches, left back Nicolas Tagliafico is expected to miss the world champions’ opener against Algeria (overnight June 16-17, 3 a.m.). Nicolas Tagliafico is