Group J is where the defending world champions enter the picture. Argentina under Lionel Scaloni arrive to defend the title with Messi at his sixth World Cup – a feat only a handful of players have ever reached. Austria return to the tournament after a 28-year absence with a genuinely competitive side under Ralf Rangnick. Algeria come back after missing both 2018 and 2022, with Riyad Mahrez leading the charge. Jordan complete the group as first-time World Cup participants and the clear underdogs.
Below are all the details regarding the matchups, squads, and updated projections from the betting markets.
🗓️ Matches, Dates, Times, and Stadiums
All match times have been adjusted to Montreal Time (EDT) for your convenience:
- June 16, 2026, 9:00 PM: Argentina vs. Algeria – Kansas City (United States)
- June 17, 2026, 12:00 AM (Midnight): Austria vs. Jordan – San Francisco (United States)
- June 22, 2026, 1:00 PM: Argentina vs. Austria – Dallas (United States)
- June 22, 2026, 11:00 PM: Jordan vs. Algeria – San Francisco (United States)
- June 27, 2026, 10:00 PM: Jordan vs. Argentina – Dallas (United States)
- June 27, 2026, 10:00 PM: Algeria vs. Austria – Kansas City (United States)
📋 Official Squad Rosters
Jordan are the only side yet to officially confirm their final selection. For Argentina, Austria, and Algeria, the squads are locked in.
🇦🇷 Argentina (26-Player Squad)
Scaloni retains the core of the 2022 champion squad while making notable adjustments – Franco Armani, Paulo Dybala and Ángel Di María were all left out. Messi leads a generation that matured alongside him, and the supporting cast of Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Enzo Fernández gives Argentina genuine depth across every line.
- Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso.
- Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Facundo Medina.
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Valentín Barco.
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Thiago Almada, Nicolás Paz, Nicolás González, Giuliano Simeone, José Manuel López.
🇦🇹 Austria (26-Player Squad)
Ralf Rangnick’s side return to the World Cup with genuine ambition. David Alaba anchors the defence, while two notable dual-national choices add intrigue to the squad – Carney Chukwuemeka chose Austria over England, and Paul Wanner opted for Austria over Germany, a pair of decisions that speak to the strength of the project Rangnick has built.
- Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz, Alexander Schlager, Florian Wiegele.
- Defenders: David Affengruber, David Alaba, Kevin Danso, Marco Friedl, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene, Stefan Posch, Alexander Prass, Michael Svoboda.
- Midfielders: Christoph Baumgartner, Carney Chukwuemeka, Florian Grillitsch, Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, Xaver Schlager, Romano Schmid, Alessandro Schopf, Nicolas Seiwald, Paul Wanner, Patrick Wimmer.
- Forwards: Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch, Sasa Kalajdzic.
🇩🇿 Algeria (26-Player Squad)
Vladimir Petković brings a genuinely talented Algerian side back to the World Cup, keen to make up for back-to-back absences in 2018 and 2022. Captain Riyad Mahrez is the most dangerous name on the sheet, but the squad carries one of the tournament’s more unusual storylines – called-up goalkeeper Luca Zidane is the son of legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane.
- Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil, Luca Zidane.
- Defenders: Achref Abada, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Zineddine Belaïd, Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaïni, Samir Chergui, Jaouen Hadjam, Aïssa Mandi, Mohamed Tougaï.
- Midfielders: Houssem Aouar, Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Fares Chaïbi, Ibrahim Maza, Yacine Titraoui, Ramiz Zerrouki.
- Forwards: Mohamed Amoura, Nadhir Benbouali, Adil Boulbina, Fares Ghedjemis, Amine Gouiri, Riyad Mahrez, Anis Hadj Moussa.
🇯🇴 Jordan (30-Player Preliminary Squad)
Managed by Jamal Sellami, Jordan arrive as first-time World Cup participants chasing one of the competition’s great upsets. Mousa Al Tamari of Montpellier is the primary offensive weapon – the player most responsible for getting the country to this stage.
- Goalkeepers: Yazid Abulaila, Abdallah Al Fakhouri, Ahmad Al Juaidi, Nour Bani Attiah.
- Defenders: Mohammad Abualnadi, Yousef Abu Al Jazar, Husam Abu Dahab, Mohammad Abu Hashish, Mohannad Abu Taha, Yazan Al Arab, Saed Al Rosan, Ahmad Assaf, Anas Badawi, Abdallah Nasib, Ehsan Haddad, Saleem Obaid, Mohammad Taha.
- Midfielders: Mohammad Al Dawoud, Nizar Al Rashdan, Noor Al Rawabdeh, Rajaei Ayed, Amer Jamous, Yousef Qashi, Ibrahim Sadeh.
- Forwards: Mohammad Abu Zraiq, Mousa Al Tamari, Ali Azaizeh, Odeh Fakhoury, Ali Olwan, Ibrahim Sabra.
💰 Team Odds & Predictions
Argentina are the group’s overwhelming favourites and one of the primary title contenders. The market gives Austria a slight edge over Algeria in the race for second place, but the gap is close enough to leave the picture unresolved heading into the final matchday.
Stage & Title Projections
| Betting Market | Argentina | Austria | Algeria | Jordan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Win Group J | -303 | +450 | +550 | +4000 |
| To Qualify from Group | -2000 | -125 | +110 | +750 |
| To Reach Round of 16 | -250 | +250 | +275 | +1600 |
| To Reach Quarter-Finals | +100 | +700 | +900 | +5000 |
| To Reach Semi-Finals | +225 | +2000 | +2800 | +15000 |
| To Reach the Final | +400 | +5000 | +10000 | +50000 |
| To Win the World Cup | +800 | +15000 | +40000 | +250000 |
Match Results (Moneyline / 1X2)
- Argentina vs. Algeria: Argentina (-238) | Tie (+350) | Algeria (+600)
- Austria vs. Jordan: Austria (-303) | Tie (+450) | Jordan (+700)
- Argentina vs. Austria: Argentina (-152) | Tie (+270) | Austria (+400)
- Jordan vs. Algeria: Jordan (+400) | Tie (+270) | Algeria (-154)
- Jordan vs. Argentina: Jordan (+1100) | Tie (+600) | Argentina (-625)
- Algeria vs. Austria: Algeria (+250) | Tie (+220) | Austria (+115)
Fully licensed in Ontario and trusted across Canada
Reviewed by , Oddsmaker
• Updated on 14/05/2026
Bet365 Sportsbook
Expert Verdict:
Top-tier NHL coverage with industry-leading lines. A world-class betting interface that delivers premium speed and unparalleled market depth.
⭐ Individual Player Odds & Awards
Argentina dominate every individual market, with Messi the standout name across all categories. Riyad Mahrez is the most compelling non-Argentine pick, while David Alaba and Marcel Sabitzer offer long-shot value in the Golden Ball market for those who believe Austria can cause a genuine stir.
Top Goalscorer (Golden Boot)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): +1200
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina): +2500
- Julián Álvarez (Argentina): +3300
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): +15000
- Marko Arnautovic (Austria): +15000
- Mohamed Amoura (Algeria): +30000
Best Player (Golden Ball)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): +1000
- Julián Álvarez (Argentina): +4000
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina): +5000
- Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina): +10000
- Enzo Fernández (Argentina): +10000
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): +15000
- David Alaba (Austria): +20000
- Marcel Sabitzer (Austria): +20000
Top Assist Provider
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): +1200
- Julián Álvarez (Argentina): +4000
Other Notable Awards
- Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez enters the tournament as the outright Golden Glove favourite across the entire competition, listed at +400 – a reflection of both his individual brilliance and Argentina’s defensive solidity. Austria’s Alexander Schlager is the group’s next-best option at +15000.
- Ibrahim Maza is Algeria’s representative in the Best Young Player market at +8000. Argentina’s Nicolás Paz is expected to feature in the market once odds are fully confirmed – Franco Mastantuono had been the early favourite at +5000 before being cut from the final squad, shifting attention toward Paz as the primary Argentine young player contender.
Author:
LinkedIn
E-mail