Argentina and Lionel Messi will begin their World Cup title defense against Algeria as they aim to become the first team to retain the crown since Brazil in 1962.

Three-time champion Argentina also will play Austria and Jordan in Group J of the expanded 48-nation, 104-game festival, spread across 11 NFL stadiums plus three venues in Mexico and two in Canada .

"As we stated in 2022, there are no easy opponents; we have to play all the matches," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the draw. "On paper, it's a group where we have to give our all to advance to the next round."

Regarding Group J opponents, Scaloni said Austria "had a great qualifying campaign," and he noted that Algeria has "great players and a large youth academy that also feeds France and other coun

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