The World Champions are in this one!
Group J? Here it is and it’s a triple-A group with Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Argentina
The manager
Lionel Scaloni. He won the whole thing in Qatar and hasn’t fallen off since. Thankfully Messi hasn’t either (whom he claimed before the tournament was in charge, not him).
Last World Cup
2022. They came out on top of that dramatic final and Messi finally lifted the trophy everyone wanted to see him with.
Who’s getting the goals
Messi.1 And maybe Julián Alvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister. Argentina has the type of squad where anyone can score in any situation (and I feel like a broken record for saying that again).
If they were a video game, they would be…
Elden Ring. It was all anyone talked about in 2022 and it remains highly acclaimed. There’s an adaptation in production at the moment. Will that be a success too?
Algeria
The manager
Vladimir Petković. The Bosnian coach had a so-so career until he joined Algeria, with his career highlight being a Coppa Italia win with Lazio in 2013. But he’s having a great time with the Fennecs losing just 4 games in 42 so far.
Last World Cup
2014. After the controversy of 1982, Algeria finally got themselves out of the groups with a win against South Korea (4–2) and a draw with Russia. They lost to Germany in the round of 16 in extra time.
Who’s getting the goals
Riyad Mahrez is the nation’s all-time capped player and he leads the charge up front, even if he doesn’t start. Mohamed Amoura scored 11 in 9 last year so he’ll want to replicate that kind of form in North America. Farès Chaïbi and Anis Hadj Moussa are ones to keep an eye on too.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Rayman. Heavy French influence with a rich and successful history, even if there are large gaps between major releases.
Austria
The manager
Ralf Rangnick. Remember him at Man United? Well, hopefully this campaign goes better than that one. Signs have been promising since 2022, with qualification for every major tournament including this one, their first appearance since…
Last World Cup
1998. Not a great World Cup for the Austrians, finishing third in their group and losing to Italy at the same stage as in 1990.
Who’s getting the goals
Arnautovic is still going strong at 37. Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer have 74 goals between them so you’d expect some shots on goal from either of them. Carney Chukwuemeka is one to watch out for too.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Theme Hospital. Legendary in the past, bargain bin fodder after that, and now a newer, more recent resurgence.2
Jordan
The manager
Jamal Sellami. The former Morocco international is a treasure to Jordanian football. The nation finished runners-up in the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup and Sellami got made a citizen by King Abdullah II himself as thanks.
Last World Cup
First-timers!
Who’s getting the goals
Goals aren’t likely to flow but players like Ali Olwan and Musa Al-Taamari are the guys you’d expect to score.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Furi. Action-packed and they’ll face a lot of shots this summer. Not super popular in the grander scheme of things and once described as having unforgivingly difficult which might sum up their chances in this tournament.