World Cup 2026: Group J Preview

Preivew to Group J

ARGENTINA

MANAGER: Lionel Scaloni

FIFA RANKING: 3

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 18

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Winners x3 - 1978, 1986 and 2022

Argentina are in the middle of arguably the greatest period in their history after winning their last three tournaments in the 2021 and 2024 Copa America's and the 2022 World Cup. By winning those tournaments, you have to say that they're the dominant force in international football but they're probably not getting as much recognition as Spain did all those years ago. They'll again come into this tournament as one of the favourites and especially as they're the holders.

KEY PLAYER: Lautauro Martinez

Position: Striker

Club: Inter Milan

Martinez failed to shine in Qatar four years ago as he lost his place to and was outshone by Julian Alvarez. His record for the national team has improved since then as he netted 5 times at the Copa America two years ago before netting 4 times in qualifying. He comes into this tournament off the back of another clinical season at Inter Milan and maybe a better player than he was four years ago.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Enzo Fernandez

Position: Midfielder

Club: Chelsea

Fernandez won the best young player award at the last World Cup which got him his big money move to Chelsea. He's since established himself as an important player for his country and is set to play a bigger role at this tournament following a decent season at Chelsea.

PREDICTION: Semi Finals

They'll have a target on their back due to them being the holders and having won their last three tournaments. They'll definitely go far again, but winning back-to-back World Cups is never easy.

ALGERIA

MANAGER: Vladimir Petkovic

FIFA RANKING: 28

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 4

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Last 16 - 2014

Algeria are back at a World Cup finals for the first time since 2014 where they recorded their best finish by reaching the last 16. There is a good chance that they could match that at this tournament as they have a manager in Vladimir Petkovic who knows what it takes to qualify from the group stages after doing so at three tournaments with Switzerland. They also have some good attacking players including Riyad Mahrez who at 35 is still providing moment of quality.

KEY PLAYER: Riyad Mahrez

Position: Winger

Club: Al-Ahli

He may be getting on a bit, but Mahrez is still capable of delivering those moments of magic he's been known for the majority of his career. He's been Algeria's talisman for at least a decade and with this to be his final tournament with them, he'll want to end his international career on a high.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Mohamed Amoura

Position: Forward

Club: Wolfsburg

Amoura is Algeria's versatile forward as he can play anywhere across the frontline and deliver wherever he is asked to play. His pace is a nightmare for any opposing defender and he's a forward who can score a variety of goals. He scored more goals than any other African player during qualifying and he'll need to repat those exploits if Algeria are to get out the group.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They have a manager who knows what it takes to get out of a group and a team with a lot of technical ability. They should have enough quality to get out of the group but not enough to go further.

AUSTRIA

MANAGER: Ralf Rangnick

FIFA RANKING: 24

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 7

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: 3rd Place - 1954

Austria are back at a World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 and they appear to be a side who are going places under Ralf Rangnick. He guided them to the last 16 of the Euros two years ago, finishing top of a group what contained France and Holland, and he has them playing with a clear identity. They are an ageing team with the majority of their squad over the age of 30, but they still have quality in it.

KEY PLAYER: David Alaba

Position: Centre Back

Club: Real Madrid

Alaba has won everything in the game at club level and represented his country and two Euros. Now he completes the set by playing at his first World Cup which is likely to be his final tournament with the national team. Austria's versatile captain brings bags of experience and leadership to this Austria side and both will be key if they're to get out the group.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Xaver Schlager

Position: Midfielder

Club: RB Leipzig

Schlager is Austria's all-action midfielder as he's brilliant at winning the ball back for his team and also also drive his team up the pitch. He's always in the right place to make key interventions without the ball whilst on the ball his first thought is to run with it towards the opposition penalty area.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They'll make it difficult for teams both with and without the ball through their defensive organisation and work rate out of possession. This should definitely get them out the group but not beyond as better teams lie in wait during the knockout rounds.

JORDAN

MANAGER: Jamal Sellami

FIFA RANKING: 63

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 0

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: N/A

Jordan will be taking part at their first ever World Cup in this tournament and they were one of the first countries to qualify. They're one of four countries making their World Cup debut alongside Curacao, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan and will go into it hoping to just enjoy the occasion as they won't be expected to get out of the group. They'll be one of the many underdogs at this World Cup along with the other countries making their debut.

KEY PLAYER: Musa Al-Taamari

Position: Winger

Club: Rennes

Al-Taamari is the only member of Jordan's squad who is playing his football in Europe and he's also the first Jordanian to be playing in a European League. He'll be Jordan's main attacking threat as he can both score goals and create chances and he'll come into this tournament off the back of a productive season at Rennes.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Ali Olwan

Olwan scored 9 goals during qualifying including a hat trick against Oman in the game that sealed their spot at these finals. He's missed a lot games since qualifying due to injury and having him back ahead of the World Cup is a big boost for Jordan and their chances of getting out the group.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

They haven't got the quality of players to really compete at this level. Because of this I can see them going home early.