Scaloni: We are Seriously Preparing to Face a Great Team Like Algeria

Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, expressed great respect for the Algerian national team ahead of their anticipated encounter in the opening of their 2026 World Cup campaign, stating that "the Greens" have established themselves as a strong team and deservedly earned their place among the world's elite.

During the pre-match press conference, Scaloni praised the level demonstrated by the Algerian team during the qualifiers, stating that Argentina is preparing to face a team that includes many outstanding players and has proven through its results and performance that it deserves its place in the world finals.

The Argentine coach emphasized that the competition in the World Cup has become more complex than ever before, stressing that the differences between the teams have significantly narrowed, making all matches difficult regardless of the teams' names or history.

Scaloni said, "We are well aware of the value of the Algerian national team and their capabilities, so we are preparing for the match with the utmost seriousness and focus."

In his discussion about the importance of the opening match, the "Tango" coach explained that his team is approaching the game with calm and confidence, benefiting from the experiences gained during the previous edition of the tournament. He emphasized that the first match does not determine the fate of any team in the competition.

He added: "We are calm and are working to prepare in the best possible way to face a great team like Algeria, fully aware of the difficulty of the task."

Regarding the players' readiness, Scaloni sent reassuring messages to the Argentine fans, confirming that captain Lionel Messi is in excellent physical and technical condition and will continue to play a pivotal role within the team during the tournament.

He said in this regard: "Messi has always been a key and influential player in the national team, and now he will be more important than ever. He also seems to be in excellent form."

The Argentine coach also revealed that striker Julian Alvarez is ready to participate in the match against Algeria, providing the coaching staff with additional options to enhance the team's offensive strength at the start of their campaign to defend the world title.