Can anyone stop the defending champions?
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in one of the greatest finals ever played. They arrive in 2026 as defending champions, Copa America holders, and the team everyone else is measuring themselves against. Algeria, Austria and Jordan face the toughest group-stage assignment in the tournament.
Argentina — defending champions
Messi may or may not be in the squad. But Argentina are no longer a one-man team. The 2022 World Cup win created a squad mentality and a system that runs deeper than any individual. The Argentina 2026 kit by Adidas features the famous light blue and white stripes with three stars above the crest.
They are expected to win this group at a canter. The question is whether they are saving their best form for the knockouts.
Algeria — the North African powerhouse
Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and have a strong squad of European-based players. The Algeria 2026 kit by Adidas is a clean white and green design. They play compact, organised football and are capable of frustrating anyone.
Second place is the target. If they take points from Argentina, it becomes genuinely achievable.
Austria — central European dark horses
Austria qualified comfortably and bring a physically imposing, tactically disciplined side. The Austria 2026 kit by Puma is a deep red with white trim. They are the kind of team that nobody wants to face in the final group game when everything is on the line.
Jordan — historic debutants
Jordan are at their first ever World Cup. They reached the final of the 2024 Asian Cup, losing to Qatar, and proved they belong at the top table. This is a squad with nothing to lose and a country watching with enormous pride.
A single point from this group would be celebrated like a trophy. A win would be one of the stories of the tournament.
Prediction
1st: Argentina. 2nd: Algeria. Austria push them close.
See the Group J page for fixtures and times, or browse the trophy history to see what Argentina are defending.