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No prizes for guessing the favorites in Group J. Four years after World Cup glory in Qatar, Argentina was handed a more-than-navigable draw for what should be Lionel Messi’s swan song with the national team. Behind them, though, it’s anyone’s guess who will get out of this group.
The Post previews Group J at the World Cup:
Teams listed in predicted order of finish. * indicates third-place team predicted to advance to the knockout stage.
Argentina
Odds to win the group: -265
What you need to know: The reigning world champions will bring a squad that blends winning pedigree with its up-and-coming next generation. Messi, Julián Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás Otamendi and Emiliano Martínez are among the returnees from the 2022 squad that gave deliverance to the nation, along with coach Lionel Scaloni. Winger Franco Mastantuono and midfielder Nico Paz are among the new faces with key roles to play, while Thiago Almada — who featured for just seven minutes in 2022 — is on that list as well.
How they play: Scaloni’s success has come in his tactical flexibility, as well as his ability to get Argentina, which seemed to crumble under pressure under prior coaches, to band together as a team. He usually employs a back four, and Argentina can use its central midfield — namely Fernández and Mac Allister — to control games.
Star player: Though absolutely no one expected Messi to sit out this World Cup, confirmation that he would play for Argentina came down to the wire. He’ll turn 39 during the World Cup, and four years into playing for Inter Miami, it would be easy to dismiss him as past his prime. Even so, Messi had eight goals and three assists for Argentina across 12 qualifying games, remains the heartbeat of his country’s soccer identity and can make magic happen.
World Cup history: Argentina won the World Cup four years ago in one of the greatest games ever played. That was La Albiceleste’s third World Cup title after triumphing in 1978 and 1986. Final appearances in 1930, 1990 and 2014 add to the perennially high expectations around this team.
Algeria
Odds: +800
What you need to know: After missing consecutive World Cups, Algeria rolls into this one with a quietly talented side. In addition to star midfielder Riyad Mahrez, players such as Mohamed Amoura, Amine Gouiri and Ibrahim Maza give the Algerians legitimate depth in attack, while center back Rayan Aït-Nouri is an anchor for the back line. This group should at least be able to make the knockouts, and maybe even make some noise there.
How they play: Coach Vladimir Petkovíc has turned Algeria into a team willing to take the initiative. His shape has been called both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1. In attack, Algeria likes to get the ball outside and score from crosses, but it’s capable of bearing down in defense when required to adjust.
Star player: Mahrez is 35 and out of the spotlight, having played the past three club seasons in Saudi Arabia, but remains Algeria’s emotional center. There’s a good chance this will be his last major tournament for the national side and it’s almost certainly his last chance at a World Cup, which should add some heft to Algeria’s campaign.
World Cup history: A Round of 16 appearance in which it was beaten by eventual champion Germany in 2014 marks the best World Cup result across five appearances for Algeria. In 1982, the Desert Foxes became the first team to win two group-stage games and fail to advance.
Austria*
Odds: +370
What you need to know: David Alaba, the Austrian with the most pedigree at the club level, missed the European Championship due to injury two years ago, but will be very much in the fold here. Alaba is the biggest name in a team with talent at every position, though it’s others who may play a bigger role in how far Austria gets. Veteran Marcel Sabitzer, striker Marko Arnautovic and midfielder Romano Schmid all have huge roles to play.
How they play: Ralf Rangnick has been in charge for Austria since 2022, and the former RB Leipzig and Manchester United coach has brought his trademark high-intensity gegenpress (high press) to the national team with solid results. Austria won its group at Euro 2024 before Rangnick oversaw Das Team’s first World Cup qualification since 1998.
Star player: Alaba, a four-time Champions League winner, has dealt with too many injuries over the past few years. Christian Baumgartner, a breakout candidate fresh off a 17-goal campaign with RB Leipzig, was ruled out due to injury. That leaves Konrad Laimer, a tireless plug-in at central midfield or outside back.
World Cup history: Austria’s most notable performances at the World Cup came in the competition’s early history: fourth place in 1934 and third place in 1954. Since then, their best result is a 1978 quarterfinal, and Austria has suffered a 28-year drought between appearances.
Jordan
Odds: 50/1
What you need to know: After beating Saudi Arabia to make its first-ever Arab Cup final last December and qualifying for a first World Cup, Jordan is at a historic peak. Al-Nashama, as they’re known, are doubtless the underdogs of this group, with a capable defensive side that can fight for results.
How they play: Coach Jamal Sellami’s side is defensively organized and looks for scoring opportunities off the counterattack. Even if that wasn’t Jordan’s preferred style, it probably would become a necessity against some of the teams it’s set to face.
Star player: Musa Al-Taamari is the first Jordanian ever to play in the French top flight, first with Montpellier and now with Stade Rennes, and the only player in the squad who plays in one of Europe’s top divisions. He’s a speedy, creative winger and a threat to score when he cuts inside on his left foot.
World Cup history: This is the first World Cup appearance for Jordan. The kingdom made it as far as FIFA’s intercontinental playoff in 2014, but suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of Uruguay.
Group J World Cup schedule
Argentina vs. Algeria, Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m., Kansas City
Austria vs. Jordan, Tuesday, June 16, Midnight, San Francisco Bay Area
Argentina vs. Austria, Monday, June 22, 1 p.m., Dallas
Jordan vs. Algeria, Monday, June 22, 11 p.m., San Francisco Bay Area
Jordan vs. Argentina, Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m., Dallas
Algeria vs. Austria, Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m., Kansas City
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