Argentina
The defending champions. Lionel Scaloni's side, built around Lionel Messi and the 2022-winning core, are among the favourites to retain the trophy in what is likely Messi's final World Cup. Read our full Argentina squad guide.
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Group Guide · 2026 World Cup
World Cup 2026 Group J
Group J is led by defending champions Argentina and completed by Ralf Rangnick's Austria, the Desert Foxes of Algeria and tournament debutants Jordan. Lionel Scaloni's world champions build around Lionel Messi in a likely farewell World Cup, Austria bring a relentless high-pressing identity, Algeria carry Riyad Mahrez and the attacking flair to trouble anyone, and Jordan reach the finals for the first time after their run to the 2023 Asian Cup final. This group runs through Kansas City, Dallas and the San Francisco Bay Area. This is the full fixture list with venues and dates, the qualification picture, and a prediction for who reaches the new Round of 32.
J
Group
4
Teams
16 Jun
Argentina vs Algeria
2
Qualify (Plus Best Thirds)
The short version. Group J is Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan. It opens with Argentina vs Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June, with games across Kansas City, Dallas and the San Francisco Bay Area, and a final round on 27 June. Defending champions Argentina are strong favourites to win the group, with Austria and Algeria the likeliest challengers for second, and the top two go through automatically alongside the best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
The Four Teams
Who is in Group J
The reigning world champions led by Lionel Messi, a Rangnick-built Austria, the attacking Desert Foxes of Algeria and a Jordan side making history on debut. Here is the Group J field.
Austria
The pressing machine. Under Ralf Rangnick, Austria's relentless high press has made them awkward for anyone, with Marko Arnautovic, David Alaba and Konrad Laimer in the squad. They are favourites for second. Read our Austria guide.
Algeria
The Desert Foxes. Back at the World Cup under Vladimir Petkovic with captain Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, Algeria have the attacking talent to push for second and a best-third place. Read our Algeria guide.
Jordan
The first-time qualifiers. Coached by Jamal Sellami and led by talisman Mousa Al-Tamari, Jordan reach the World Cup for the first time after their run to the 2023 Asian Cup final. Dangerous on the break. Read our Jordan guide.
The Fixtures
Group J fixtures, venues and dates
Six Group J matches across three matchdays in the United States. Argentina open in Kansas City before two games at AT&T Stadium near Dallas, with the other fixtures shared between Dallas, Kansas City and the San Francisco Bay Area. As one of the last groups, Group J finishes on 27 June, and the two final-round games kick off at the same time. Times below are US Eastern.
Matchday 1 · 16 June
Argentina vs Algeria
Tue 16 Jun 2026
Austria vs Jordan
Tue 16 Jun 2026
Matchday 2 · 22 June
Argentina vs Austria
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Jordan vs Algeria
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Matchday 3 · 27 June · Simultaneous kickoff
Jordan vs Argentina
Sat 27 Jun 2026
Algeria vs Austria
Sat 27 Jun 2026
For the full picture of all 104 games and kickoff times in your own time zone, use the WorldCuply.com match schedule. Argentina's path is covered in detail in our Argentina squad guide.
The Format
How qualification works in Group J
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of four. That changes how a group plays out:
- Top two go through. The winner and runner-up of Group J qualify automatically for the new Round of 32, the extra knockout round added for 2026.
- Best thirds matter. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance. That means a strong third place in Group J, with points and goal difference, can still be enough.
- Argentina set the standard. As the seeded holders, Argentina will expect to win the group, leaving Austria and Algeria to fight over second and a best-third place.
- The final round is decisive. The matchday-three games kick off simultaneously to keep things fair, so Jordan vs Argentina in Arlington and Algeria vs Austria in Kansas City will be settled side by side on 27 June.
The Prediction
Who advances from Group J
A group with the holders as clear favourites and a genuine scrap for second. Here is how we see it:
- 1st: Argentina. The defending champions and deepest squad in the group. With Messi and the 2022 core, Argentina should win Group J and target back-to-back titles.
- 2nd: Austria. Rangnick's pressing and squad depth make them the most likely to take second and reach the knockouts.
- 3rd: Algeria. With Mahrez and real attacking quality, Algeria could pip Austria for second and remain strong contenders for a best-third place.
- 4th: Jordan. The debutants will compete and could spring a surprise, but the gap in quality makes qualification a tall order on their first appearance.
Argentina are the standout, but the race for second between Austria and Algeria could go to the final matchday. Follow it live with the schedule and the Match-Day Notifier.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Which teams are in Group J at the 2026 World Cup?
Group J at the 2026 World Cup contains Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan. Defending champions Argentina were the seeded side in Group J after the December 2025 draw, joined by Ralf Rangnick's Austria, the Desert Foxes of Algeria and debutants Jordan, who reach the World Cup for the first time in their history.
When does Group J start at the 2026 World Cup?
Group J begins on Tuesday 16 June 2026 with Argentina against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, kicking off at 9pm Eastern. Austria face Jordan later the same evening at Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Where are the Group J matches played?
Group J is played across the United States. The venues are Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, AT&T Stadium in Arlington near Dallas, and Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara in the San Francisco Bay Area. Argentina play their second and third games at AT&T Stadium.
What are the full Group J fixtures?
Matchday one: Argentina vs Algeria (16 June, Kansas City) and Austria vs Jordan (16 June, Santa Clara). Matchday two: Argentina vs Austria (22 June, Arlington) and Jordan vs Algeria (22 June, Santa Clara). Matchday three: Jordan vs Argentina (27 June, Arlington) and Algeria vs Austria (27 June, Kansas City).
Who is the favourite to win Group J?
Argentina are clear favourites to win Group J. Lionel Scaloni's defending world champions are built around Lionel Messi and the core that won in 2022, and they are among the favourites to retain the trophy. Austria, under Ralf Rangnick, are the most likely challenger for second place.
How many teams advance from Group J?
The top two teams in Group J advance to the Round of 32 automatically. Because the 2026 World Cup has 48 teams in 12 groups, the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also qualify, so a strong third place can still be enough to go through.
How strong is Austria in Group J?
Austria are a well-drilled side and the most likely team to join Argentina in the knockouts. Under Ralf Rangnick their relentless high-pressing identity has made them hard to play against, with Marko Arnautovic, David Alaba and Konrad Laimer among the squad. They start as favourites for second place.
Can Algeria advance from Group J?
Yes. Algeria, the Desert Foxes, are back at the World Cup under Vladimir Petkovic with captain Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Luca Zidane. They have the attacking talent to push Austria for second and a best-third place, though they must avoid a repeat of recent group-stage disappointments.
What are Jordan's chances on their World Cup debut?
Jordan are at the World Cup for the first time, riding the run that took them to the 2023 Asian Cup final. Coached by Jamal Sellami and led by talisman Mousa Al-Tamari, they are organised and dangerous on the break, but face three strong sides and qualification would be a historic achievement.
Who will qualify from Group J?
Our prediction is that Argentina win Group J, with Austria taking second thanks to Rangnick's system and squad depth. Algeria are expected to push hard for second and a best-third place, while Jordan aim to be competitive and chase a historic result.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Group J is one of 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Argentina Squad
Lionel Scaloni's defending champions, Messi's likely final World Cup, and the case for back-to-back titles.
Read the Argentina guide ›Austria Squad
Ralf Rangnick's high-pressing machine, the squad and the case for a knockout place in Group J.
Read the Austria guide ›Group I
France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq, with the full Group I fixtures, venues and prediction.
Read the Group I guide ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team and time zone.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm the Group J teams, fixtures, venues and dates:
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