Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan. Holders Argentina headline; Austria are a well-drilled European outfit, Algeria carry North African flair and Jordan are the proud debutants.
Key stats of each team
Below are numbers from each team's recent matches, computed from the ScanGoal database. Each card ends with auto-insights — what stands out in the data.
Argentina last 12 months · 9 matches| Goals for/game | 2.2 |
| Goals against/game | 0.3 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 44% |
| Both teams score | 22% |
| Corners/game | 5.6 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.1 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.0 |
- a tight defence — just 0.3 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 2.2 goals per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 22%
- disciplined — only 1.1 yellows per game
Algeria last 12 months · 21 matches| Goals for/game | 2.0 |
| Goals against/game | 0.6 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 48% |
| Both teams score | 33% |
| Corners/game | 5.2 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.7 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.0 |
- a tight defence — just 0.6 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 2.0 goals per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 33%
Austria last 12 months · 11 matches| Goals for/game | 2.6 |
| Goals against/game | 0.5 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 45% |
| Both teams score | 36% |
| Corners/game | 4.2 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.5 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.5 |
- a tight defence — just 0.5 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 2.6 goals per game
Jordan last 12 months · 16 matches| Goals for/game | 1.6 |
| Goals against/game | 1.1 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 62% |
| Both teams score | 44% |
| Corners/game | 4.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.1 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.2 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 62% of games
- disciplined — only 1.1 yellows per game
Form going in
Argentina — recent form WWWWW| 01.04.26 | Argentina 5:0 Zambia | International Match |
| 28.03.26 | Argentina 5:0 Zambia | International Friendly |
| 28.03.26 | Argentina 2:1 Mauritania | International Match |
| 14.11.25 | England 0:2 Argentina | Friendlies |
| 11.10.25 | Argentina 1:0 Venezuela | Friendlies |
Algeria — recent form WDLWDW| 03.06.26 | Netherlands 0:1 Algeria | Friendlies |
| 31.03.26 | Algeria 0:0 Uruguay | Friendlies |
| 27.03.26 | Algeria 7:0 Guatemala | Friendlies |
| 10.01.26 | Algeria 0:2 Nigeria | Cup Of Nations |
| 06.01.26 | Algeria 0:0 Congo DR | Cup Of Nations |
| 31.12.25 | Equatorial Guinea 1:3 Algeria | Cup Of Nations |
Who goes through
Argentina, as world champions, are clear favourites to top the group. Austria's structure and tournament reliability make them the pick for second over a talented but streaky Algeria. Jordan will aim to spoil.
Dark horse & possible upset
Algeria are the wildcard: on song, their attack can beat Austria to second and trouble even Argentina. Jordan reaching this stage is already the story; a point for them would be a genuine shock.
Squads: call-ups & shocks
Argentina defend their crown and Lionel Messi becomes the first man named in six World Cup squads, after an injury scare at Inter Miami. Lionel Scaloni chose continuity — 17 of the 2022 winners return — which forced hard calls: Franco Mastantuono and Marcos Acuña missed the final 26, Ángel Di María bowed out, and Paulo Dybala and Ángel Correa were cut earlier. Sources: ESPN, beIN.
Betting angles
Argentina control games and manage cards well; Austria fixtures are competitive and can spike on bookings. Look at Argentina team-totals and clean sheets; cards markets in the tighter European-style clashes.
Remember: totals, corners and cards are markets where our national-team data is most useful. Cross-check live odds and our Value Picks of the day; the handicap mechanics are covered in our Asian handicap guide.
Analysis only. Betting is 18+, please gamble responsibly.