2026 World Cup Group J preview, predictions

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/">Argentina.

Joining Argentina in a sneaky-good group are upstarts Algeria and austria/">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.

1930– Uruguay defeats Argentina 4-2 in the first World Cup event held in Uruguay.

<1 / 21

1930– Uruguay defeats Argentina 4-2 in the first World Cup event held in Uruguay.

<2 / 21

1934– Italy over Czechoslovakia 2-1.

<3 / 21

1938– Italy defeats Hungary 4-2. The World Cup would not be played again until 1950 because of the Second World War.

<4 / 21

1950– Uruguay wins it’s second World Cup with a 2-1 win over Brazil.

<5 / 21

1954– Germany wins 3-2 over Hungary.

<6 / 21

1958– Brazil celebrates by running with the flag of Sweden after defeating them 5-2.

<7 / 21

1962– Brazil 3-1 over Czechoslovakia.

<8 / 21

1966– England defeats Germany 4-2 in England.

<9 / 21

1970– Brazil wins 4-1 over Italy in Mexico.

<10 / 21

1974– Germany wins at home in Munich over Netherlands, 2-1.

<11 / 21

1978– Argentina wins it’s first World Cup 3-1 over Netherlands in Argentina.

<12 / 21

1982– Italy wins it’s third championship over Germany 3-1.

<13 / 21

1986– Argentina wins over Germany 3-2.

<14 / 21

1990– Germany gets revenge on Argentina 1-0.

<15 / 21

1994– Brazil defeats Italy 3-2 in penalties in Pasadena, Calif.

<16 / 21

1998– France wins it’s first cup over Brazil, 3-0.

<17 / 21

<18 / 21

2006– Italy beats France 5-3 in penalties.

<19 / 21

2010– Spain defeats Netherlands 1-0 in South Africa.

<20 / 21

<21 / 21

2022– Argentina wins it’s third World Cup defeating France 4-2 in penalties.

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.

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.

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.

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

Argentina vs. Algeria – Kansas City, 9 p.m. ET – Fox

Austria vs. Jordan – San Francisco Bay Area, 12 a.m. ET (9 p.m. local) – FS1

• Argentina vs. Austria – Dallas Area, 1 p.m. ET – Fox

• Jordan vs. Algeria – San Francisco Bay Area, 11 p.m. ET – FS1

Argentina vs. Austria – Dallas Area, 1 p.m. ET – Fox

Jordan vs. Algeria – San Francisco Bay Area, 11 p.m. ET – FS1

• Algeria vs. Austria – Kansas City, 10 p.m. ET – FS1

• Jordan vs. Argentina – Dallas Area, 10 p.m. ET – Fox

Algeria vs. Austria – Kansas City, 10 p.m. ET – FS1

Jordan vs. Argentina – Dallas Area, 10 p.m. ET – Fox

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group J: Preview, predictions, schedule