2026 FIFA World Cup Group J: Schedule, Standings & Prediction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J belongs to Lionel Messi. His double in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria took him to 18 World Cup goals, the outright men’s all-time record past Miroslav Klose’s 16. The defending champions lead on six points and are on the brink of the Round of 32. Algeria then came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1, reviving their campaign and eliminating the debutants.
Messi had already matched Klose with a hat-trick in the opener, and the Austria double makes him the first player to reach 18 at World Cups, clear even of women’s record holder Marta on 17. With Argentina all but through, the second qualifying place now comes down to Austria vs Algeria on June 27.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Teams
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Rank (June 2026) | WC Appearances | Pot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | CONMEBOL | #1 | 19th | 1 |
| Austria | UEFA | #24 | 8th | 3 |
| Algeria | CAF | #29 | 5th | 2 |
| Jordan | AFC | #63 | 1st (debut) | 4 |
Group J Results: Matchday 1 & 2
Argentina 3-0 Algeria (June 16). Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick on his 200th cap to draw level with Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, as the champions cruised in Kansas City.
Austria 3-1 Jordan (June 16). Ralf Rangnick’s Austria saw off the World Cup newcomers, with Marko Arnautovic converting a late penalty. Ali Olwan’s 50th-minute strike gave Jordan their first-ever World Cup goal.
Argentina 2-0 Austria (June 22). Messi missed an early penalty, then settled it with a curled finish in the 38th minute and a late second in Arlington, reaching 18 World Cup goals and the outright all-time record. Argentina went six points clear at the top.
Algeria 2-1 Jordan (June 22). Jordan took a shock lead before Algeria hit back through a Nadir Benbouali equaliser and an Amine Gouiri winner. The result revived Algeria’s campaign and eliminated Jordan on their World Cup debut.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Standings After Matchday 2
Updated after Matchday 2 (June 22, 2026).
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | Austria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | Jordan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
Argentina lead on six points and a +5 goal difference, level on results that all but confirm top spot. Austria and Algeria are tied on three, with Austria second on goal difference, so their June 27 meeting is a straight shootout for the runner-up place. Jordan are eliminated.
The top two advance automatically to the Round of 32, with the best eight third-placed teams also progressing. Tiebreaker order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head, then fair-play score and FIFA ranking.
Group J Match Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern Time (ET). FOX and FS1 broadcast in English, Telemundo and Universo in Spanish, with every match streaming on Peacock.
Matchday 1 (June 16): Full Time
| Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Algeria | 3-0 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO |
| Austria vs Jordan | 3-1 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
Matchday 2 (June 22): Full Time
| Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Austria | 2-0 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
| Jordan vs Algeria | 1-2 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
Matchday 3 (Saturday, June 27)
Both Matchday 3 games kick off simultaneously at 10:00 PM ET. Algeria vs Austria in Kansas City decides second place in Group J.
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan vs Argentina | 10:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
| Algeria vs Austria | 10:00 PM | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO |
With Argentina all but through as group winners, everything rests on Algeria vs Austria on June 27. Austria need only a draw to advance on goal difference, while Algeria must win to take second place. Jordan, already out, face the champions for pride.
Group J Venue Guide
| Match | Stadium | City | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Algeria | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, MO | 76,416 |
| Austria vs Jordan | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA | 68,500 |
| Argentina vs Austria | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | 80,000 |
| Jordan vs Algeria | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA | 68,500 |
| Jordan vs Argentina | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | 80,000 |
| Algeria vs Austria | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, MO | 76,416 |
Group J is spread across three cities. AT&T Stadium in Arlington is the largest venue at 80,000 and hosts both of Argentina’s later group games.
How to Watch Group J Matches
| Country | TV Channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX, FS1, Telemundo | Peacock, FOX Sports App |
| UK | ITV, BBC | ITVX, BBC iPlayer |
| Canada | CTV, TSN, RDS | TSN+, CTV GO |
| Argentina | TyC Sports, TV Publica | TyC Sports Play |
| Algeria | ENTV, beIN Sports | beIN Sports Connect |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV | ORF ON |
| Jordan | Jordan TV, beIN Sports | beIN Sports Connect |
Fans elsewhere can check the full global broadcaster list at 2026 FIFA World Cup TV channels and broadcasting rights.
Group J Team Analysis and Preview
Argentina
Manager: Lionel Scaloni. The world No. 1 and defending champions have won both games and look imperious, with Messi rewriting the record books. Scaloni is bidding to become the first coach since Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo (1934, 1938) to win back-to-back World Cups.
Key players: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), now the all-time World Cup top scorer; Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan); Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid); goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa); and Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea). Veteran Nicolas Otamendi is on a farewell tour before international retirement.
Austria
Manager: Ralf Rangnick. Back at a World Cup after 28 years, Austria beat Jordan but were outclassed 2-0 by Argentina. On three points, they need only a draw against Algeria on June 27 to reach the knockouts on goal difference.
Key players: captain David Alaba (Real Madrid), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich) and veteran scorer Marko Arnautovic. Best finish: third (1954).
Algeria
Manager: Vladimir Petkovic. After losing to Argentina, Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 and keep their hopes alive. They must now beat Austria on June 27 to claim second place.
Key players: captain Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Amine Gouiri (Marseille), who scored the winner against Jordan, Mohammed Amoura (Wolfsburg), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City) and Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan). Best finish: Round of 16 (2014).
Jordan
Manager: Jamal Sellami. Jordan’s first World Cup ends at the group stage after losing to Austria and Algeria, but the 2023 Asian Cup finalists leave with a maiden World Cup goal and plenty of credit for a competitive debut.
Key players: captain Musa Al-Taamari (Rennes), the first Jordanian to play in Ligue 1; goalscorer Ali Olwan; Mohannad Abu Taha; and Ibrahim Sadeh. Notable: reached the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final, beating South Korea 2-0 in the semi.
Group J Storylines
- Messi is the outright men’s World Cup record scorer on 18 goals, clear of Klose (16) and women’s record holder Marta (17), and has scored in six straight World Cup games since 2022.
- Only Italy and Brazil have ever retained the World Cup; Scaloni’s Argentina are chasing the first back-to-back triumph since 1962.
- Austria vs Algeria on June 27 is a winner-takes-second decider: Austria advance with a draw, Algeria must win.
- Jordan are out, but their debut brought a first World Cup goal and two competitive displays after reaching the 2023 Asian Cup final.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Predictions
- Matchday 1 (result): Argentina 3-0 Algeria. Austria 3-1 Jordan.
- Matchday 2 (result): Argentina 2-0 Austria. Jordan 1-2 Algeria.
- Matchday 3 (prediction): Jordan 0-2 Argentina. Algeria 1-1 Austria.
Final Predicted Standings
| Pos | Team | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 9 | Advance (winners) |
| 2 | Austria | 4 | Advance |
| 3 | Algeria | 4 | Third-place longshot |
| 4 | Jordan | 0 | Eliminated |
Argentina have all but sealed top spot. Our prediction has Austria drawing with Algeria to edge second place on goal difference, but Algeria can settle it themselves with a win in Kansas City. Four points may still be enough for the team that misses out to sneak through as a best third-placed side.
Group J Road to the Round of 32
| Finish | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | July 2 | Group H runner-up |
| Runner-up | July 1 | Group H winner |
The Group J winner faces the Group H runner-up in the Round of 32, while the runner-up meets the Group H winner. Group H features Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group J FAQs
Who is in Group J at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Group J consists of Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan. After two rounds Argentina lead on six points, Austria and Algeria are tied on three, and Jordan are eliminated.
What are the Group J results so far?
Matchday 1: Argentina 3-0 Algeria and Austria 3-1 Jordan. Matchday 2: Argentina 2-0 Austria and Jordan 1-2 Algeria.
Did Messi break the World Cup goal record?
Yes. Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria on June 22, 2026 to reach 18 World Cup goals, overtaking Miroslav Klose (16) as the outright men’s all-time top scorer.
What are the Group J standings after Matchday 2?
Argentina lead on 6 points, Austria are second and Algeria third (both on 3, split by goal difference), and Jordan are bottom on 0 and out. Austria vs Algeria on June 27 decides second place.
Are Jordan out of the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Jordan lost 3-1 to Austria and 2-1 to Algeria in their first World Cup, and were eliminated after two games. They still scored their first-ever World Cup goal through Ali Olwan.
When are the Group J Matchday 3 games?
Both final games are on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET: Jordan vs Argentina in Arlington and the decisive Algeria vs Austria in Kansas City.
Has Austria been to the World Cup before?
Yes. This is Austria’s eighth appearance and first since 1998. Their best finish was third place in 1954, when they beat Switzerland 7-5 in the highest-scoring match in World Cup history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J has its record-breaker and its runaway leader. Messi’s double against Austria made him the outright World Cup goalscoring king and carried Argentina to the brink of the Round of 32, while Algeria’s win over Jordan set up a straight fight with Austria for second. It all comes down to the Algeria vs Austria decider on June 27.
