Luca Zidane set to start as Algeria open against Argentina

Game day: Argentina in the opener

It starts Tuesday. Algeria face Argentina in Kansas City, and Lionel Messi plays his 200th cap for the world champions (5). Argentina are heavy favorites, CBS called your team a "live underdog" but still expects an Argentina win (2). Lautaro Martínez may replace Julián Álvarez up front, and Nicolás Otamendi is set to miss out, Cristian Romero and Facundo Medina start in central defense (7). No Algeria lineup has been confirmed, but the stage is yours.

Luca Zidane set to start after head scare

Luca Zidane took a knock to the head recently but is expected to be in goal against Argentina (4). The 28-year-old is the first Zidane to play at a World Cup in twenty years, and he did not hide what it means. "I am happy to defend my country," Zidane said, with Zinédine Zidane traveling to Kansas City to watch his son (4).

Maza faces his idol

Ibrahim Maza grew up in Germany, came through Hertha Berlin's academy, and now lines up against the player he grew up watching. "Messi was my idol," Maza said before the match (6). He chose Algeria over Germany, and his reward is a World Cup debut against the greatest.

Fan reactions

The r/soccer preview called Algeria "technically sound and tough to break down" but flagged the same worry every fan knows, finishing chances against elite opposition. The thread was measured: respect for the Argentina challenge, genuine hope in Luca Zidane's story, and a quiet belief that this squad can cause problems. Read the full preview here.