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Group J will be under close watch by soccer fans the world over, because it is where you will find Lionel Messi and the defending World Cup champion, Argentina.
Joining Argentina in a sneaky-good group are upstarts Algeria and Austria, both of which will be looking to knock the champs from their pedestal.
The competition for the top three spots should be intriguing, especially if Algeria or Austria can score an upset of Messi and Argentina.
Here is a breakdown of Group J:
Algeria is making its fifth-ever World Cup appearance. Its last appearance in 2014 was also its best as it reached the knockout stage for the first time. That year, Algeria pushed the eventual champion, Germany, to extra time before bowing out. This year, Algeria can draw some inspiration from Morocco, which in 2022 became the first African nation to reach the semifinal of a World Cup.
Key players: Ramy Bensebaini, Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza
The reigning World Cup champions will enter the 2026 tournament on the short list of favorites. It will mark Lionel Messi's record-tying sixth and — likely — final World Cup, as the competition will serve as a sort of "last dance" for the soccer GOAT. Argentina could make history if it can repeat — only Brazil (1958 and 1962) and Italy (1934 and 1938) have won back-to-back World Cups.
Key players: Emiliano Martínez, Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Messi
Austria is back in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and will not be satisfied with just being there. Under renowned coach Ralf Rangnick — who is known for his gegenpressing style of play — Austria won six of its eight World Cup qualifiers to reach the 2026 tournament. That performance came after Austria won its group at Euro 2024 — ahead of France and the Netherlands. Austria will be a worthy challenger for Argentina in Group J.
Key players: David Alaba, Marko Arnautović, Marcel Sabitzer
Jordan is one of four nations that will compete in the World Cup for the first time — Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan are the others taking advantage of the tournament's expanded 48-team field. This is a tough draw for Jordan, which will be hard pressed to get a result in a strong Group J.
Key players: Yazan Al-Arab, Musa Al-Taamari, Ali Olwan
Predicted order of finish:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group J: Preview, predictions, schedule
Continue reading...
Joining Argentina in a sneaky-good group are upstarts Algeria and Austria, both of which will be looking to knock the champs from their pedestal.
The competition for the top three spots should be intriguing, especially if Algeria or Austria can score an upset of Messi and Argentina.
Here is a breakdown of Group J:
World Cup Group J teams
Algeria
Algeria is making its fifth-ever World Cup appearance. Its last appearance in 2014 was also its best as it reached the knockout stage for the first time. That year, Algeria pushed the eventual champion, Germany, to extra time before bowing out. This year, Algeria can draw some inspiration from Morocco, which in 2022 became the first African nation to reach the semifinal of a World Cup.
Key players: Ramy Bensebaini, Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza
Argentina
The reigning World Cup champions will enter the 2026 tournament on the short list of favorites. It will mark Lionel Messi's record-tying sixth and — likely — final World Cup, as the competition will serve as a sort of "last dance" for the soccer GOAT. Argentina could make history if it can repeat — only Brazil (1958 and 1962) and Italy (1934 and 1938) have won back-to-back World Cups.
Key players: Emiliano Martínez, Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Messi
Austria
Austria is back in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and will not be satisfied with just being there. Under renowned coach Ralf Rangnick — who is known for his gegenpressing style of play — Austria won six of its eight World Cup qualifiers to reach the 2026 tournament. That performance came after Austria won its group at Euro 2024 — ahead of France and the Netherlands. Austria will be a worthy challenger for Argentina in Group J.
Key players: David Alaba, Marko Arnautović, Marcel Sabitzer
Jordan
Jordan is one of four nations that will compete in the World Cup for the first time — Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan are the others taking advantage of the tournament's expanded 48-team field. This is a tough draw for Jordan, which will be hard pressed to get a result in a strong Group J.
Key players: Yazan Al-Arab, Musa Al-Taamari, Ali Olwan
World Cup Group J schedule
June 16
- Argentina vs. Algeria - Kansas City, 9 p.m. ET - Fox
June 17
- Austria vs. Jordan - San Francisco Bay Area, 12 a.m. ET (9 p.m. local) - FS1
June 22
- Argentina vs. Austria - Dallas Area, 1 p.m. ET - Fox
- Jordan vs. Algeria - San Francisco Bay Area, 11 p.m. ET - FS1
June 27
- Algeria vs. Austria - Kansas City, 10 p.m. ET - FS1
- Jordan vs. Argentina - Dallas Area, 10 p.m. ET - Fox
World Cup Group J prediction
Predicted order of finish:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Algeria
- Jordan
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group J: Preview, predictions, schedule
Continue reading...
