2026 World Cup Group J Guide: Teams, schedule, key player

The reigning champions look to defend their world crown in Group J as they prepare for a final World Cup farewell to their greatest ever player. Is there one more moment of Messi magic left? 

DAZN News takes a look at Group J, examining the teams, players and big games across the opening stage of World Cup 2026. 

World Cup Group Guides 

• Group A 
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F
• Group G
• Group H
• Group I
• Group J
• Group K
• Group L 

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Group J - at a glance 

• Argentina 
• Algeria  
• Austria 
• Jordan 

Fixtures

Predicted qualifiers 

As reigning champions, Argentina will be heavily fancied to top this group and will be one of the favourites for the whole thing. Austria look good for second, but we wouldn't rule out Algeria, who could spring a surprise. 

The Teams 

Argentina 

World Ranking: 2
Best World Cup: Winners, 1978, 1986, 2022  

Four years ago, Argentina returned to the pinnacle of international football by winning their third World Cup, while Lionel Messi cemented his reputation as one of the all-time greats by lifting the trophy. 

Many of that squad remain in 2026, including Messi, looking for a last hurrah on the world stage and boss Lionel Scaloni as they look to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962. 

As well as the household names, Enzo Fernandez comes into the tournament as an established Premier League name, while Nico Paz could be a surprise star after shining in Serie A with Como this season. 

They will be there or thereabouts at the end and we wouldn't rule out them retaining their crown. 

Key man - Lionel Messi  

A last dance for the man who finally got his hands on the trophy four years ago that completes his legacy, but you wouldn't put it past Messi to lead his country to one more final moment of glory, would you?  

Manager - Lionel Scaloni 

A man who'll never need to buy a drink in his home country again after leading them to World Cup glory four years ago. Can the former West Ham defender turned coach now go one better and repeat the feat? 

Getty Images

Algeria 

World Ranking: 35
Best World Cup: Round of 16, 2014 

Algeria return to the world stage for the first time since 2014, where they managed to progress from the group rounds and into the Round of 16. 

They'll head to the States believing they can match that feat, after a comfortable qualifying campaign that saw them only lose one game and topped their group ahead of Uganda. 

The squad's standout names include Mohamed Amoura of Wolfsburg as well as Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri, but the star is still Riyad Mahrez, still going strong in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli. 

Second place is definitely up for grabs in this group and the Africans will fancy their chances of being in the mix. 

Key man - Riyad Mahrez 

The multiple Premier League winner and Algeria captain may have lost a degree of pace, but he still has the tricks and technical ability to unlock any defence. 

Manager - Vladimir Petkovic

A vastly experienced coach, who's travelled across Europe in his club career as well as taking the Switzerland team to the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup. 

Austria  

World Ranking: 24
Best World Cup: Third place, 1954

The Austrian's had built up a bit of a dark horse reputation before Euro 2024, but a Round of 16 defeat to Turkey put pay that notion; however, two years on, they are back on the big stage and looking to rekindle that narrative. 

A qualifying campaign that saw them lose just once and top their group ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina certainly helps, as does a group draw where they'll believe that can make the knockout phase once again. 

It's the first time they've been at a World Cup since 1998 and come with a squad that still contains the experience of Marko Arnautović and David Alaba as well as Marcel Sabitzer and striker Michael Gregoritsch.

Tough to beat, hard to break down and with plenty of nous. They'll be ones to avoid for sure. 

Key man - David Alaba 

The Austrian skipper remains integral to the national team set-up, despite not being first choice for his club Real Madrid. He may have something to prove if he can get over his injuries. 

Manager - Ralf Rangnick 

The former Man United boss and has enjoyed a successful period in charge of Austria since his Old Trafford post. Now he just needs a decent tournament showing. 

GettyImages

Jordan 

World Ranking: 66
Best World Cup: World Cup debutant 

A first World Cup for Jordan, who will head into this group as the underdogs, but they are far from whipping boys, as shown by their run to the Arab Cup Final in 2025.

They took the scenic route to get to this year's tournament, qualifying via the third round in the AFC qualifiers and besting Iraq to book their place in the competition. 

Their squad is heavily influenced by Al-Hussein, one of the top clubs in the country, but do have a selection of names competing in Europe's big leagues. 

They are definitely here to put Jordan on the footballing map. 

Key man - Musa Al-Taamari

With 88 appearances and 23 goals for his country, the creative spark will come from this winger who is currently playing his football in France with Rennes. 

Manager - Jamal Sellami

The Moroccan took the Jordan job in 2024 and is already seen as their most successful boss having led them to their first-ever finals. 

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