It’s World Cup time – huzzah!
Reigning World Cup and Copa America champs Argentina come into this tournament as one of the favourites to win it all again – and who can blame those backing them when they’ve got the GOAT Lionel Messi?
Argentina are in Group J with Austria, Algeria and Jordan so who will take second, third and fourth behind most-likely winners Argentina?
Our traders have compiled your essential profiles for all 48 teams at this summer’s World Cup.
You can now dazzle family, friends, and random strangers in the street with in-depth assessments of every side taking part this June and July.
Let’s get to Group J, eh?
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Argentina
MANAGER: Lionel Scaloni. He transformed Argentina into a unit with tactical flexibility and emotional resilience in Qatar. The transition from a Lionel Messi-centric team to one more collaborative and balanced, was impressive and it bore fruit with their thrilling final win over France.
CAPTAIN: Lionel Messi. The great Messi leads by example rather than reading out the riot act and he did it to great effect in Qatar, picking up the win that all football lovers were desperate to see.
STAR PLAYER: Lionel Messi. Mercurial, magic, Messi. Say no more.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Argentina qualified top in the CONMEBOL process. They didn’t dominate matches, but defensive solidity and efficient game management along with smart rotation saw them through with ease.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Reigning World Cup and Copa América champs, Argentina come into this tournament with plenty of confidence and winning experience. Their masses of quality, tactical flexibility and mental resilience makes them strong in knockout football. They will easily progress through a soft group and then the minimum expectation would be a semi-final spot.
BEST BET: Argentina Top Goalscorer – Julián Álvarez. The Atletico Madrid striker has become the focal point of Argentina’s attack and a more consistent scorer or late. With Messi potentially playing a deeper or more creative role, Álvarez is highly likely to finish as the team’s leading scorer.
Algeria
MANAGER: Vladimir Petkovic. Petković took charge of Algeria in 2024, bringing a wealth of international management experience. His most notable stint was as manager of Switzerland from 2014 to 2021, the key highlight being the famous knockout win in the Euros over defending champions France on penalties.
CAPTAIN: Riyad Mahrez. Despite being in the twilight years of his career, Mahrez remains one of Algeria’s most influential players. He’s on all the set pieces so should chip in with some more goals and assists for his country.
STAR PLAYER: Amine Gouiri. While Mahrez will be doing all he can to set them up Algeria need someone to put them away and that man is most likely to be Gouiri. He’s got eight goals since switching from France in 2023 and
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Algeria progressed through Group G of the African (CAF) qualifying pool, toping their group with 25 points from 8 Wins, 1 Draw and 1 Loss.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Early market indications predict a 3rd Place finish in Group J for Algeria & an implied probability of 73.5% to progress to the Knockout Stages through that third-placed finish. They aren’t expected to uproot too many trees if they get out of the group though.
BEST BET: Algeria to finish 3rd in Group J. While Algeria are likely to struggle against Argentina and Austria they will be looking to beat World Cup debutants Jordan and that should be enough for them to secure third and a nervous wait to see how everyone else does.
Austria
MANAGER: Godfather of the Gegenpressing Ralf Rangnick arrives to his second major tournament as Austrian manager. He has named three strikers in his squad ranging from 6’4 to 6’7 in height and his side will look to capitalise on chaos created in the box from intense pressing and quick breakaway play that underscored their strong Euro 2024 performance.
STAR PLAYER: In the absence of Christoph Baumgartner, Marcel Sabitzer will fill this role. A technically gifted midfielder, it’s possible he will pivot into the 10 role in the Leipzig man’s absence. Along with being the main man on set pieces, he provides a potent goal threat and is a great passer.
ONE TO WATCH: Carney Chukwuemeka. The Borussia Dortmund star switched allegiance to Austria from England in March this year and came off the bench later that month to score on debut. Along with PSV winger Paul Wanner, he can inject pace and creativity into any game.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Austria topped their group winning 6 of 8 games while scoring 22 goals to just four conceded, though it should be noted 14 of these goals were scored against San Marino.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Austria have reached the knockout stage of their last two major tournaments and I would expect the same again. They should secure three points in their opening game against Jordan despite the San Francisco heat. This is followed by potentially tougher conditions in Arlington against reigning champions Argentina.
The final game is one loaded with historical significance as they face Algeria. The 1982 World Cup saw Austria and Germany collude to play out a draw that denied the African side a historic place in the second round. If it’s all to play for in Group J expect an ill-tempered affair with cards flying.
BEST BET: Stage of Elimination – Round of 32. Their group’s not a cake walk but you have to favour them over Jordan while Algeria are not as strong as in previous years and the Austrians could frustrate the Argentinians on their day. Even if they don’t they should still have a very strong chance of qualifying for the next round. Spain could await them their though and the exit door beckons if so.
Jordan
MANAGER: Jamal Sellami. The former Morocco international took over in 2024 and he’s now guided Jordan to their first ever World Cup.
CAPTAIN: Ihsan Haddad. The 32-year-old is the leader of this Jordan side and he helped guide them to this summer’s tournament. He’s won 90 caps heading into the World Cup and he’s represented Jordan at every national team level.
STAR PLAYER: Musa Al Tamari. The Rennes striker, who’s closing in 100 caps for his country, has already bagged 24 goals for his country. He’s one of the best players to ever come out of Jordan.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Jordan, who are making their World Cup debut, finished second in their qualifying group behind South Korea. They went unbeaten in eight of their 10 outings to secure their first World Cup spot.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Jordan are in Group J with Argentina, Algeria and Austria so it’s a massive ask for them to get out of the group.
BEST BET: Jordan to get 0 points. We can’t see Sellami’s side causing the rest of the group any problems.
GROUP J FIXTURES
June 17, 2026, 2am – Argentina v Algeria – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
June 17, 2026, 5am – Austria v Jordan – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
June 22, 2026, 6pm – Argentina v Austria – AT&T Stadium, Arlington
June 23, 2026, 4am – Jordan v Algeria – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
June 28, 2026, 3am – Algeria v Austria – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
June 28, 2026, 3am – Jordan v Argentina – AT&T Stadium, Arlington
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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