World Cup 2026: Group J Preview

In less than one week, the 2026 World Cup will kick off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. We at Philly Sports Network continue to look at the 48-team field by diving into Group J. This group has the reigning World Champions, two hopefuls from Africa and Europe, and the latest debutants at the tournament!

North America 2026: Group J Preview

Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan are the four nations in Group J. Juicy storylines and matchups await in what could be a very competitive group, with one of the World’s Best teams facing up-and-coming challengers and newcomers alike.

For a team coming into the World Cup as champions, Argentina couldn’t have asked for a better draw on paper. Austria is a European team on the rise, but has not yet shown its true potential. Algeria is always amongst the African elites, but can it get out of this tough group? Jordan may have made this tournament because of the expanded field, but will they play spoilers to the rest of the group?

A replica of official Trionda match ball for FIFA World Cup 2026 is displayed ahead of the press conference

Issei Kato

Argentina 

Argentina finally won a World Cup for superstar Messi in 2022. The reigning champs are a mainstay at the World Cup and one of only seven nations to have won the tournament. They won CONMEBOL qualifying by nine points to qualify for this World Cup. In 2026, Messi is back for one last dance, leading the fourth-oldest team at the tournament with the hopes of making another deep run. Can they join Italy and Brazil as only the third team ever to win back-to-back World Cups?

Lionel Scaloni has led Argentina since 2018 and has seen long-term success. He was in charge of Argentina’s run to win the 2022 World Cup, and has also won two Copa America titles. In about nine years in charge, Scaloni’s team has showcased the ability to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders in matches. Argentina does this in a classic 4-4-2 style, getting the most out of a structured defensive block and talented midfielders and attackers, including the best player on the planet. They do so in a very entertaining way, but this version is aging.

Argentina has a plethora of star players, but three that stand out are key to their chances at repeating. The first is Emiliano Martinez. The experienced goalkeeper can make big saves in the run of play and in PK shootouts; he also has a flair that gives him a true star aura. Next is midfield engine, Alexis Mac Allister. The Liverpool midfielder can play in any of the four midfield positions and seems never to tire; his versatility will be needed to give Argentina an edge. Of course, the star of all stars of Argentina is Lionel Messi. Messi has been dubbed the greatest of all time after finally winning the 2022 World Cup; now at 38, he doesn’t run around the pitch too much, but his vision, touch, and finishing are still the best in the world.

Argentina is a favorite at this World Cup despite being one of the older teams. Can they manage the long travel and hot summer weather in North America? We’ll have to wait and see; nevertheless, they should win Group J, and if they don’t, it’ll be a huge failure.

Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Paraguay's Gustavo Gomez

Cesar Olmedo

Algeria

Algeria is one of the top teams from Africa at the 2026 World Cup. They have not made the tournament since 2014, but this squad is ready to show they can come into Group J and be one of the better sides. Topping their CAF qualifying group with ease, winning eight of their 10 matches and losing just once. Can Algeria shock the world and make a run to the knockout rounds?

Vladimir Petkovic is the leader of Algeria. He led the team through qualifying and to a last-eight appearance at the latest AFCON tournament. His teams like to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation and utilize a sit-and-counter style of play. Because of this, the spine of his teams needs to be solid, and wingers need to provide width in attack.

Algeria’s Aissa Mandi is an experienced center back on this side. His leadership will help organize the team, provided he can keep up with the pace of play. This is his last chance for glory on the World’s stage. Fares Chaibi is a player with huge upside; he could be a breakout star for this Algeria team in either the CDM or CAM midfield roles. Will the 23-year-old take the world by storm? You can’t talk about Algeria without mentioning Riyad Mahrez. The former Premier League-winning winger is the leader of the team. As the 35-year-old goes, so will Ageria.

The consensus around this Algerian team can be summed up in two words: potential and uncertainty. This is a team with a lot of potential in a group that doesn’t have a clear second-favorite. With that being said, uncertainty in who will play and how the team will play could limit this Algerian side.

Algeria players celebrate after the match

Piroschka Van De Wouw

Austria

Austria is back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998! The 28-year absence has finally been lifted after they edged Bosnia and Herzegovina by two points in their UEFA qualifying group. Can a team that has not been to a World Cup this century make a splash in a group with a clear favorite and the rest of the field?

Ralf Rangnick is a man renowned in World Football for helping to revolutionize the Red Bull network. The high-paced gegenpressing style is something he loves. Ragnick took over an Austrian side in 2022 and helped revitalize it, leading it to the World Cup. His style of play has helped Austria rediscover an attacking spark over the last four years.

David Alaba leads Austria from the backline. His relentless and tenacious play is fun to watch, but injuries could temper that for the 33-year-old World Cup newcomer. Marcel Sabitzer could be the most important player to Austria’s World Cup hopes. He is a player who can link their defense and attack with his pressing prowess and is not shy to rip a shot. Marko Arnautovic is the country’s most capped player and all-time leading scorer. If Austria wants to make it out of Group J, Arnautovic will need to bag a few more goals.

No one is expecting Austria to make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup, but that could be just where they want to be, overlooked. Getting wins against teams at or below their level and then playing close with the defending World Cup champs could just be enough to get Austria on a favorable knockout-round path.

Austria's Konrad Laimer celebrates scoring their first goal

Lisa Leutner

Jordan

When the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, we knew there would be new teams experiencing the tournament. One of those debutants is Jordan, who took a second-place finish in their Asian Football Confederation group with four wins, four draws, and only one loss. They beat Iraq by one point in the group to secure this historic qualification. Now, they get to take on some of the World’s best in Group J play.

Jamal Sellami came in to lead Jordan to their first World Cup back in 2024. The team was already on the rise, but needed a leader to ensure they crossed the finish line and reached North America. Sellami brought organization and attention to detail; his teams play with a 3-4-3 formation. This structure fostered a sense of togetherness that helped Jordan get over the hump and make the tournament.

The players to watch for the first time at a World Cup are a talented defender, a tenacious midfielder, and a striker with his nation's hopes on his shoulders. Ehsan Haddad is the team’s captain and vital right wing-back. He looks to bomb down the right wing if healthy enough to make a difference, pushing to the attack. Noor Al Rawabdeh is an important box-to-box midfielder who is the engine for the team. He has to cover a lot of ground to help cover when the wingbacks push high. Ali Olwan scored a hat-trick in the game that secured their qualification to North America 2026. If Jordan wants to secure their first World Cup win, then Olwan needs to score against nations ranked higher than their own.

The goal for this first-timer at the World Cup is to be competitive. There is little pressure on the players, who just need to focus on the joy of playing the game they love on the greatest stage. While they are a long shot to get out of the group, Jordan could just capture the hearts of many if they can score on the likes of Argentina.

Jordan's Ehsan Haddad celebrates after the match.

Ibraheem Al Omari

Group J kicks off on June 16 & 17

Group J is seen as Argentina’s to lose. They are the clear favorites to win the group and make a deep run in the knockout round. Algeria and Austria will battle it out for second and third place; could they both make the knockouts? Jordan is here for the vibes, and maybe they can produce a shock that captivates the World.

I’d expect to see Argentina and Austria to be the top two and make the knockout rounds. Algeria finishes third after being a bit inconsistent and misses out on being one of the eight best third-place finishers. I hope Jordan shows they belong and don’t get thumped too hard; it’d be amazing to see them get their first goal or first win on the World’s biggest stage!

Matchday 1: 

Matchday 2: 

Matchday 3: 

For more reading on the World Cup, check out our other previews:

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D

Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H

Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L