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2026 World Cup Group J preview, predictions
2026 World Cup Group J preview, predictions
Jim Reineking, USA TODAYSun, June 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM UTC·2 min readGroup 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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:
1930- Uruguay defeats Argentina 4-2 in the first World Cup event held in Uruguay.
(AFP via Getty Images)1934- Italy over Czechoslovakia 2-1.
(Keystone, Getty Images)1938- Italy defeats Hungary 4-2. The World Cup would not be played again until 1950 because of the Second World War.
(AFP via Getty Images)1950- Uruguay wins it's second World Cup with a 2-1 win over Brazil.
(AFP via Getty Images)1954- Germany wins 3-2 over Hungary.
(Keystone, Getty Images)1958- Brazil celebrates by running with the flag of Sweden after defeating them 5-2.
(Keystone, Getty Images)1962- Brazil 3-1 over Czechoslovakia.
(Keystone, Getty Images)1966- England defeats Germany 4-2 in England.
(Keystone, Getty Images)1970- Brazil wins 4-1 over Italy in Mexico.
(Action Images / Sporting Picture via Reuters)1974- Germany wins at home in Munich over Netherlands, 2-1.
(AFP via Getty Images)1978- Argentina wins it's first World Cup 3-1 over Netherlands in Argentina.
(AFP via Getty Images)1982- Italy wins it's third championship over Germany 3-1.
(Action Images / Sporting Picture via Reuters)1986- Argentina wins over Germany 3-2.
(AFP via Getty Images)1990- Germany gets revenge on Argentina 1-0.
(Tom Szlukovenyi, Reuters)1994- Brazil defeats Italy 3-2 in penalties in Pasadena, Calif.
(MIKE NELSON, AFP via Getty Images)1998- France wins it's first cup over Brazil, 3-0.
(PATRICK HERTZOG, AFP via Getty Images)2002- Brazil defeats Germany, 2-0.
(ANTONIO SCORZA, AFP via Getty Images)2006- Italy beats France 5-3 in penalties.
(PATRIK STOLLARZ, AFP via Getty Images)2010- Spain defeats Netherlands 1-0 in South Africa.
(ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images)2018- France 4-2 over Croatia.
(ALEXANDER NEMENOV, AFP via Getty Images)2022- Argentina wins it's third World Cup defeating France 4-2 in penalties.
(ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT, AFP via Getty Images)Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos
2022- Argentina wins it's third World Cup defeating France 4-2 in penalties.
(ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT, AFP via Getty Images)World Cup Group J teams
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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKey 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
World Cup Group J schedule
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
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:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group J: Preview, predictions, schedule