Argentina's coaching staff has made its final call on the attacking lineup for the World Cup opener. According to journalist Gastón Edul, Lionel Scaloni will start Inter Milan's Lautaro Martínez as the central striker against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The decision puts Martínez ahead of Atlético de Madrid's Julián Álvarez, rewarding the 27-year-old's consistent form in Serie A, where he finished as top scorer with 17 goals last season.
Chemistry That Delivers
Scaloni's choice is rooted in the proven partnership between Martínez and captain Lionel Messi. The two have built strong on-field understanding during Argentina's Copa América victories and the 2022 World Cup run in Qatar. Martínez's role will be to pin Algeria's center-backs, creating space for Messi to operate as a free-roaming playmaker. After a club season interrupted by minor injuries, the Inter captain is now fully fit and ready to bring the high pressing and hold-up play that Scaloni values against a disciplined Algerian defense.
This tactical decision echoes the approach that served Argentina well in recent tournaments. As we noted in our earlier piece on Scaloni's lineup philosophy, the coach has always emphasized collective chemistry over individual star power.
A Historic Milestone for Messi
The Group J fixture carries extra weight beyond the tournament's opening stakes. When Messi steps onto the pitch, he will earn his 200th international cap for Argentina, becoming the first footballer to play in six different World Cups. This landmark appearance underscores his enduring influence on the sport and will draw massive global attention to the match.
Argentina enters the tournament as defending champions, having topped the Conmebol qualifiers with 38 points from 18 matches. Messi himself claimed the continental Golden Boot with eight goals during that campaign. The team is on a seven-match winning streak and looks sharp heading into the competition.
Group J Outlook
While Argentina is the clear favorite, Algeria should not be underestimated. The two sides have met only once before, a thrilling 4-3 friendly win for Argentina at Camp Nou in 2007. Algeria will look to disrupt the champions' rhythm and cause an upset. After the opener, Argentina faces Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.
For more context on Argentina's World Cup preparations, check out our coverage of Messi's return from injury and the broader list of strikers who will define the 2026 World Cup.
