1 day ago
15
Midfielder Ibrahim Maza, whose mother is Vietnamese, declared that his team Algeria are fully capable of defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
 |
|
Midfielder Ibrahim Maza reacts after the DFB-Pokal semifinal match between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich at the BayArena Stadium on April 22, 2026. Photo by AFP |
As the Algeria national team arrived in the U.S. to prepare for the tournament, Maza did not shy away from the pressure of facing reigning champions Argentina.
"We need to have a good World Cup, and the first match against Argentina will be very important," the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder told UOL. "They often provoke their opponents, but we have to stay calm, play smartly and see what happens."
Maza remained confident about beating Wa squad captained by the legendary Messi.
The Group J clash between Algeria and Argentina will take place on June 17 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The 20-year-old Maza was born in Germany to an Algerian father and a Vietnamese mother. After representing several Germany youth teams, he ultimately chose to play for his father's homeland at the senior international level.
Following his senior debut for Algeria against Togo in October 2024, Maza has gradually become a key player in coach Vladimir Petkovic's tactical system. At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the young midfielder featured regularly, helping his team reach the quarterfinals before falling to Nigeria.
These strong performances solidified Maza's position in the squad as Algeria head into their first World Cup appearance since 2014. Known for his great skills, ability to handle tight spaces and energetic playing style, he is widely considered one of Algerian football's brightest young talents. At the club level, he has already logged 30 Bundesliga appearances and scored four goals for Leverkusen.
Despite his confidence, the first challenge in North America will be difficult for Algeria, as Argentina, the defending champions, remain a heavy contender for the title.
While Messi may no longer possess the physical intensity of his peak, the 38-year-old forward is still the center of Argentina's tactics. His vast experience, playmaking brilliance and influence make the Inter Miami captain formidable to any opponent.
The South American giants are no strangers to early adversity. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Scaloni's squad suffered a shock 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, but bounced back and eventually defeated France in the final to claim the title.
Following their highly anticipated opener against Algeria, Argentina will face Austria and Jordan in Group J.
