The reigning champions arrive in North America among the favorites to lift the trophy once again after topping the South American qualifying standings. Argentina have also built momentum ahead of the tournament, winning each of their last seven matches while conceding only one goal.

Much of the focus will once again fall on Lionel Messi. The Argentina captain is set to make his 200th international appearance and become the first player to feature at six World Cups.

Messi remains the leader of a squad packed with experience, including Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez, all of whom played important roles during Argentina's triumph in Qatar.

Algeria, meanwhile, return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 after an impressive qualifying campaign.

The Fennec Foxes finished top of their African qualifying group and secured their place at the finals with a game to spare. They also head into the tournament in strong form, having lost only once in their last nine matches.

Veteran winger Riyad Mahrez continues to captain the side, while Amine Gouiri and Mohammed Amoura are expected to provide the main attacking threat. Algeria will also draw confidence from a defence that has conceded just two goals across its last six matches.

The two nations have met only once before. Argentina claimed a 4-3 victory in a friendly at Camp Nou in 2007, with Messi scoring twice.

Austria and Jordan complete Group J, with Argentina expected to challenge for top spot while Algeria look to improve on their best World Cup performance, a round-of-16 appearance in 2014.

Argentina predicted lineup:

E Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez

Algeria predicted lineup:

Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Chergui, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Mahrez, Maza, Amoura; Gouiri

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