Team profile
World Cup Group J betting preview & free tips
Argentina are favourites to win Group J at the FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Scaloni’s defending champions priced at 1.33 to top a section also featuring Austria, Algeria and Jordan.
La Albiceleste are expected to qualify for the Round of 32 with international betting sites, but the biggest storyline in Group J is obvious: this is almost certainly Lionel Messi’s final World Cup.
Messi will turn 39 during the tournament, and every Argentina match will carry the weight of a potential farewell for the greatest player of his generation. Four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar, he now has the chance to lead Argentina in a title defence that would make history.
MORE: World Cup 2026
No nation has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, but Argentina have the squad, manager and tournament experience to challenge that long-standing trend. Messi remains the emotional centrepiece, while Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Cristian Romero give Scaloni elite quality across the park.
Austria are the second favourites to win Group J at 4.50 and look the strongest challenger for second place. Ralf Rangnick’s side return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and bring one of Europe’s most intense pressing systems, led by Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer and David Alaba.
Algeria are priced at 8.50 to win the group and 1.36 to qualify, making them a dangerous outsider. Riyad Mahrez remains the creative leader, while Mohamed Amoura’s superb qualifying form gives the Desert Foxes a genuine cutting edge in attack.
Jordan are outsiders at 46.00 to win Group J and 4.20 to qualify, but their first World Cup appearance is already a landmark moment. Mousa Al-Tamari gives Jamal Sellami’s side a star name, and their run to the Asian Cup final showed they will not arrive simply to make up the numbers.
Lets take a deep dive into each Group J team’s prospects, including their captains, coaches, past World Cup results, predicted lineups and much more.
Group J Squads
🇦🇷 Argentina
- Manager: Lionel Scaloni
- Captain: Lionel Messi
- Group J winner odds: 1.33
- Qualify Group J odds: 1.01
Argentina enter Group J as defending champions, group favourites and one of the biggest stories of the tournament. Messi’s likely final World Cup will dominate the narrative from the opening match against Algeria, but this is not a side built only around nostalgia. Scaloni has created a ruthless tournament team, and the supporting cast around Messi remains world class. Martinez and Alvarez give Argentina two elite centre-forward options, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister provide control in midfield, while Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Emiliano Martinez bring steel at the back. Ranked no.3 in the world, Argentina will need to manage Messi at the World Cup, given he’s battling with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring in the lead-up, but team doctors say the Inter Miami captain will be ready for their first game on June 16. The depth of this squad should not be underestimate and can be judged by who they left out, with Franco Mastantuono, Marcos Acuña, Paulo Dybala and Emi Buendía all missing out, while Nico Paz, Valentín Barco, Giuliano Simeone and Palmeiras striker José Manuel López were included. The pressure of defending the title will be real, especially given the recent history of World Cup holders struggling at the next tournament, but Argentina have the squad depth and emotional edge to take care of this group.
- Confederation: CONMEBOL
- Best World Cup: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
- World Cup qualifications: 19
- Overall World Cup record: TBC
- How they qualified: Argentina qualified through CONMEBOL qualifying after another strong campaign under Lionel Scaloni.
- Predicted lineup: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez.
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nico Paz (Como), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid).
🇦🇹 Austria
- Manager: Ralf Rangnick
- Captain: Marcel Sabitzer
- Group J winner odds: 4.50
- Qualify Group J odds: 1.12
Austria return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and look a serious chance of reaching the knockout stage. Rangnick has given Austria a clear identity built around aggressive pressing, quick transitions and a midfield that can make life miserable for opponents. Sabitzer brings leadership and goal threat, Laimer gives them energy and defensive bite, while Alaba remains the player with the most elite pedigree in the squad. Alaba is in some doubt with a minor muscle injury. but team officials have declared he is fit for their first match. They have however lost their key midfielder Christoph Baumgartner with a thigh injury, and after an outstanding season in Germany, where he scored 17 times, this is a bitter blow. Austria should have too much attacking prowess for Jordan in their opener, but the real tests come against Argentina and Algeria. If they can avoid being overwhelmed by Argentina’s technical quality, the final match against Algeria may decide whether they finish second or wait nervously as a third-placed side.
- Confederation: UEFA
- Best World Cup: Third place (1954)
- World Cup qualifications: Eight
- Overall World Cup record: TBC
- How they qualified: Austria qualified through UEFA qualifying after a strong campaign under Ralf Rangnick.
- Predicted lineup: Patrick Pentz; Stefan Posch, Kevin Danso, David Alaba, Philipp Mwene; Konrad Laimer, Nicolas Seiwald, Marcel Sabitzer; Christoph Baumgartner, Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch.
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Alexander Schlager (RB Salzburg), Florian Wiegele (Viktoria Plzen), Patrick Pentz (Brondby).
Defenders: David Affengruber (Elche), Kevin Danso (Tottenham), Stefan Posch (Mainz 05), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Philipp Lienhart (SC Freiburg), Philipp Mwene (Mainz 05), Alexander Prass (TSG Hoffenheim), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Michael Svoboda (Venezia).
Midfielders: Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Braga), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg), Paul Wanner (PSV Eindhoven), Alessandro Schopf (Wolfsberger AC).
Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Red Star Belgrade), Michael Gregoritsch (FC Augsburg), Sasa Kalajdzic (LASK Linz).
🇩🇿 Algeria
- Manager: Vladimir Petkovic
- Captain: Riyad Mahrez
- Group J winner odds: 8.50
- Qualify Group J odds: 1.36
Algeria are the dangerous outsider in Group J and will believe they can beat Austria to second place. Mahrez remains the face of the team and one of the group’s biggest names, but Amoura’s rise gives Algeria the extra attacking weapon they have needed. The Desert Foxes were excellent through qualifying and have enough technical quality to trouble Austria, especially if Aouar, Gouiri and Mahrez can find space between the lines. Just how dangerous Algeria can be at the Word Cup was highlighted by their friendly win over the Netherlands in the lead-up, although many football pundits have been fooled in the past by this kind of result. While we can’t see Algeria progressing deep into the knockout stage, we would not be shocked if their discipline and underrated depth carry them through Group J, ahead of Austria. Their opener against Argentina is difficult, but a competitive performance there would build belief before the key matches against Jordan and Austria. The final game in Kansas City could be one of the most important third-round fixtures of the group stage.
- Confederation: CAF
- Best World Cup: Round of 16 (2014)
- World Cup qualifications: Five
- Overall World Cup record: TBC
- How they qualified: Algeria qualified through CAF qualifying after a strong campaign led by Mohamed Amoura and Riyad Mahrez.
- Predicted lineup: Luca Zidane; Rayan Ait Nouri, Ramy Bensebaini, Aissa Mandi, Jaouen Hadjam; Nabil Bentaleb, Ramiz Zerrouki, Houssem Aouar; Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, Amine Gouiri.
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Melvin Masstil (Stade Nyonnaise), Luca Zidane (Granada).
Defenders: Achraf Abada (USM Alger), Rayan Ait Nouri (Manchester City), Zinedine Belaid (JS Kabylie), Rafik Belghali (Verona), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Chergui (Paris FC), Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys), Aissa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance).
Midfielders: Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad), Nabil Bentaleb (Lille), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen), Yassine Titraoui (Charleroi), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente).
Forwards: Mohamed Amine Amoura (VfL Wolfsburg), Nadir Benbouali (Gyori ETO), Adil Boulbina (Al Duhail), Fares Ghedjemis (Frosinone), Amine Gouiri (Marseille), Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord).
🇯🇴 Jordan
- Manager: Jamal Sellami
- Captain: Mousa Al-Tamari
- Group J winner odds: 46.00
- Qualify Group J odds: 4.20
Jordan are the outsiders in Group J, but their World Cup debut is one of the best stories of the tournament. Sellami’s side have already made history by reaching this stage, and their run to the Asian Cup final proved they can punch above their weight when everything clicks. Al-Tamari is the obvious attacking outlet and the player most capable of producing a moment against stronger opposition. The weight of Jordan’s historic qualification for the World Cup is highlighted by King Abdullah II gifted Sellami and the World Cup squad with the Order of Independence, First Class — which is one of the highest honours you can receive in ths country of 12 million. Jordan’s draw is brutal, with Austria’s intensity, Algeria’s experience and Argentina’s star power all waiting, but Jordan will not lack motivation. Their first goal will be to compete well, stay organised and give themselves a chance of snatching a point somewhere in the group.
- Confederation: AFC
- Best World Cup: Tournament debut
- World Cup qualifications: One (2026)
- Overall World Cup record: P0 W0 D0 L0 F0 A0
- How they qualified: Jordan qualified through AFC qualifying to reach the World Cup for the first time.
- Predicted lineup: Yazid Abulaila; Ihsan Haddad, Yazan Al-Arab, Abdallah Nasib, Mohammad Abualnadi; Nizar Al-Rashdan, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Rajaei Ayed; Mousa Al-Tamari, Ali Olwan, Mahmoud Al-Mardi.
- Squad: Goalkeepers: Yazid Abulaila (Al-Hussein), Abdallah Al-Fakhouri (Al-Wehdat), Nour Bani Attiah (Al-Faisaly).
Defenders: Ihsan Haddad (Al-Hussein), Saed Al-Rosan (Al-Hussein), Mohammad Abualnadi (Selangor), Husam Abu Dahab (Al-Faisaly), Mohammed Abu Hashish (Al-Karma), Yazan Al-Arab (FC Seoul), Anas Badawi (Al-Faisaly), Abdallah Nasib (Al-Zawraa), Saleem Obaid (Al-Hussein).
Midfielders: Mohammed Al-Dawoud (Al-Wehdat), Nizar Al-Rashdan (Qatar SC), Noor Al-Rawabdeh (Selangor), Rajaei Ayed (Al-Hussein), Amer Jamous (Al-Zawraa), Ibrahim Sadeh (Al-Karma), Mohannad Abu Taha (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya).
Forwards: Mohammed Abu Zrayq (Raja Casablanca), Mousa Al-Tamari (Rennes), Ali Azaizeh (Al-Shabab), Odeh Al-Fakhouri (Pyramids), Ali Olwan (Al-Sailiaya), Ibrahim Sabra (Lokomotiva Zagreb), Mahmoud Al-Mardi (Al-Hussein).
Group J teams, match-ups and betting preview
Teams: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
World Cup Group J Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Algeria | June 16, 2026 | 9pm | Kansas City Stadium |
| Austria vs Jordan | June 17, 2026 | 12am | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| Argentina vs Austria | June 22, 2026 | 1pm | Dallas Stadium |
| Jordan vs Algeria | June 22, 2026 | 11pm | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| Algeria vs Austria | June 27, 2026 | 10pm | Kansas City Stadium |
| Jordan vs Argentina | June 27, 2026 | 10pm | Dallas Stadium |
🇦🇷 Argentina v 🇩🇿 Algeria
(Messi’s likely final World Cup begins against a dangerous Algeria)
Argentina’s opener will be one of the most watched matches of the early group stage because of the Messi storyline. The world champions should have too much control and attacking quality, but Algeria are not a soft first assignment. Mahrez can still unlock a defence with one pass, while Amoura’s speed gives the Desert Foxes a genuine counter-attacking threat. Argentina will want a professional start rather than another shock opening defeat like they suffered against Saudi Arabia in 2022. A win would immediately settle the champions and allow Scaloni to manage the rest of the group from a position of strength. There is little historical context to this match, with Argentina winning their one and only clash 4-3 in 2007, with this an international friendly.
🇦🇹 Austria v 🇯🇴 Jordan
(Austria’s long-awaited return meets Jordan’s historic debut)
This match brings together two very different stories. Austria are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and will see this as a must-win game if they are serious about reaching the knockouts. Jordan, meanwhile, will be playing their first ever World Cup match. Al-Tamari gives them a player capable of causing problems in transition, but Austria’s midfield quality and pressing structure should be too much. Rangnick’s side will look to start fast, force turnovers and make their tournament experience count against a debutant nation still adjusting to the stage. These two teams have never played before.
🇦🇷 Argentina v 🇦🇹 Austria
(The group favourite faces the strongest European challenger)
This could be Argentina’s toughest match in Group J. Austria’s pressing system is designed to make elite teams uncomfortable, and Laimer and Sabitzer have the energy to test Argentina’s midfield. The challenge for Austria is whether they can maintain that pressure without leaving space for Messi, Alvarez or Lautaro to exploit. Argentina have the technical quality to play through pressure and the tournament experience to manage difficult moments. If the world champions win this match, they should be close to locking up top spot before the final round. These two nations have played three times in history, with one win each and a draw, but little can be read into these matches with the last happening in 1990.
🇯🇴 Jordan v 🇩🇿 Algeria
(Algeria cannot afford to slip against the group outsiders)
These two nations have played three times, with one win each and a draw, with the last of these being in 2004. Algeria will view this as the match they simply have to win. Anything less would put enormous pressure on their final game against Austria. Jordan are likely to sit compact, look for Al-Tamari whenever they can break and try to turn the game into a test of patience. Algeria should have enough quality to control possession and create chances, particularly if Mahrez can dictate from the right and Amoura can attack space behind the defensive line. A comfortable win would set up a huge final-round showdown for second place.
🇩🇿 Algeria v 🇦🇹 Austria
(The likely decider in the battle for second place)
This is the pivotal match in Group J. Argentina are expected to win the group and Jordan are outsiders, leaving Algeria and Austria in what could become a straight fight for second. Algeria have more individual magic in the final third through Mahrez, Amoura and Gouiri, but Austria look the more complete and structured side. Rangnick’s press can disrupt Algeria’s buildup, while Sabitzer and Laimer give Austria the legs to compete in a tense midfield battle. Algeria are dangerous enough to win it, but Austria’s organisation makes them the slight pick to finish second. It will be the second time they have played at a World Cup, with Austria winning 2-0 way back in 1982, which is the only time they have played.
🇯🇴 Jordan v 🇦🇷 Argentina
(Jordan’s debut campaign ends against the defending champions)
Argentina may already be qualified by the time they face Jordan, which could give Scaloni the chance to rotate before the knockout stage. Even then, the world champions should have far too much depth. This could be a special occasion for Jordan regardless of the result, with their players getting the chance to face the defending champions on the biggest stage in football. Argentina’s second-string options are still stacked with quality, and goal difference could matter if top spot is not already secured. Jordan will look to exit with pride, but Argentina should win comfortably.
World Cup Group J prediction & best bets
Argentina are the obvious pick to win Group J. The defending champions have the best squad in the section, the strongest tournament pedigree and the added emotional motivation of Messi’s likely final World Cup. Their path is not completely risk-free, but anything other than first place would be a surprise.
Austria are our pick to finish second. Algeria have the attacking talent to make that race close, but Rangnick’s side look more balanced and are strongly respected in the qualifying market. Their pressing system, midfield depth and experience across Europe’s top leagues should give them the edge in the decisive match.
The most likely Group J order is Argentina first, Austria second, Algeria third and Jordan fourth. Algeria may still have a chance of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams, while Jordan’s first World Cup campaign should be judged more on competitiveness and experience than points.
Argentina to win Group J at 1.33
Group J Exacta, Argentina first and Austria second with football betting sites.
