Argentina
Defending champions and overwhelming Group J favourites. Lionel Scaloni’s side topped CONMEBOL qualifying and arrive as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders to retain the trophy – a feat not achieved since Brazil in 1962.
The squad is led by Lionel Messi – 38 years old and appearing at a record sixth World Cup – alongside Emiliano Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez. This is Argentina’s 19th World Cup appearance.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid).
Algeria
The Desert Foxes return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 under coach Vladimir Petkovic. Algeria topped CAF Group G with eight wins from ten matches and open against defending champions Argentina in their first fixture – one of the most anticipated group stage matches of the entire tournament.
Their best finish remains the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014 where they pushed eventual champions Germany to extra time before losing 2-1.
Players to watch: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) and Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen).
Austria
Austria return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 under the highly regarded Ralf Rangnick. Captain David Alaba – the Real Madrid defender who missed Euro 2024 through injury – finally gets his first World Cup at 33.
Marko Arnautovic, Austria’s all-time top scorer with 47 goals, arrives at 37 in what is certainly his last major tournament. Their best World Cup finish remains third place at the 1954 tournament in Switzerland.
Players to watch: David Alaba (Real Madrid) and Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund).
Jordan
Jordan make their first ever World Cup appearance under coach Jamal Sellami – a Moroccan who played at the 1998 World Cup and has openly drawn inspiration from Morocco’s famous 2022 semi-final run.
Mousa Al-Tamari – who scored seven qualifying goals and provided 11 assists for Rennes this season – is their standout player. With no World Cup history to draw on, every moment in North America is uncharted territory.
Players to watch: Mousa Al-Tamari (Rennes) and Ehsan Haddad (Al-Hussein).
Argentina are the overwhelming favourites to top Group J. The battle for second place between Algeria and Austria is the group’s most compelling storyline – with Jordan hoping to cause a historic upset along the way.
The fixtures
17 Jun: Argentina vs Algeria – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 03:00 SAST
17 Jun: Austria vs Jordan – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara – 06:00 SAST
22 Jun: Argentina vs Austria – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 19:00 SAST
23 Jun: Jordan vs Algeria – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara – 05:00 SAST
28 Jun: Algeria vs Austria – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 04:00 SAST
28 Jun: Jordan vs Argentina – AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 04:00 SAST
Photo: Omar Vega/Getty Images
