Argentina are seeking to become the first nation in 64 years to successfully defend their title but face a couple of potential banana skins early on as we look at our 2026 World Cup Group J predictions .
They are joined in their pool by Austria , Algeria and Jordan and this is how we rate the World Cup Group J teams in reverse order, followed by our best bet:
Group J Odds
2026 World Cup Group J Odds
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Argentina | 1/3 | 75% |
Austria | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Algeria | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Haiti | 40/1 | 2.4% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Holders Argentina (1/3) should top the World Cup Group J table with Austria (9/2) and Algeria (11/2) vying for second spot.
Group J Preview
2026 World Cup Group J Preview
Jordan
4. Jordan @ 40/1
Jordan ’s rise as a footballing power in the Middle East has gathered pace in recent years and they can now look forward to their maiden trip to the World Cup finals. Al Nashama made history in 2023 after reaching the AFC Asian Cup final for the first time, beating continental powerhouses South Korea in the semi-finals before losing 3-1 to Qatar , for whom Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties.
Jordan’s so-called golden generation of players, which includes dangerous attacking trio Yazan Al-Naimat , Ali Alwan and captain Mousa Al-Tamari , followed that up by qualifying for their first World Cup.
Jamal Sellami took over as coach from Hussein Ammouta midway through qualifying in 2024 but the switch proved seamless and the former Morocco midfielder has lost just two of his 12 games so far to South Korea and Iraq .
Algeria
3. Algeria @ 11/2
Algeria will have fond memories of their last World Cup adventure after sealing a return to the big stage for the first time in 12 years. At Brazil 2014 , Algeria finished second in a tough-looking group containing Belgium , South Korea and Russia to reach the last 16 for the first time in their history.
They then gave Germany a huge scare, knocked out 2-1 after extra-time by Joachim Low’s side who would then go on to beat heavyweights France , Brazil and Argentina in successive matches to lift the title. Vladimir Petkovic ’s Fennecs won eight of their 10 qualifiers to reach their fifth World Cup , having also made a huge impact on their finals debut in 1982 when they beat mighty West Germany the eventual runners-up in their opening match.
Captain Riyad Mahrez remains Algeria’s biggest name but Wolfsburg’s Mohamed Amoura , top scorer in CAF qualifying with 10 goals, and Marseille’s Amine Gouiri will also look to catch the eye, while Manchester City f ull-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is a marauding threat down the left.
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Austria
2. Austria @ 9/2
The appointment of veteran German tactician Ralf Rangnick in 2022 has proved a match made in heaven for Austria . At Euro 2024 , they pipped France and the Netherlands for top spot in Group D before losing 2-1 to Turkey in the last 16.
Austria carried that momentum into their World Cup qualifying campaign, where they won their opening five games before topping the group with 19 points from a possible 24, conceding just four goals in the process. That saw them reach the finals for the first time since 1998, when they tumbled out at the group stage without a victory.
Marko Arnautovic struck eight goals in qualifying only Erling Haaland scored more in Europe while the likes of David Alaba , Marcel Sabitzer , Konrad Laimer and Kevin Danso will be familiar names in a squad packed with experience.
Argentina
1. Argentina @ 1/3
Argentina gave Lionel Messi what looked like being a dream international send-off by winning the 2022 World Cup but the evergreen superstar will be back again this summer, and even at the age of 38 he still remains as influential as ever.
The Inter Miami forward was the leading scorer in the CONMEBAL qualifying section with eight goals as Argentina swept all aside, finishing nine points clear at the top of the group. It seems more than likely the 2026 World Cup will now be the swansong of Messi’s Argentina career and that will give the holders even more motivation to defend their crown, if that were necessary.
They would also become the first team since arch-rivals Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back titles, and that would be a perfect way to bid farewell to talisman Messi , should he decide to hang up his boots.
La Albiceleste are no one-man team either and with the likes of Lautaro Martinez , Julian Alvarez , Enzo Fernandez , Alexis Mac Allister , Cristian Romero and Emi Martinez in the Argentina World Cup 2026 squad , they will be going all out to repeat their success from Qatar under Lionel Scaloni.
Group J Best Bet
2026 World Cup Group J Best Bet
Argentina/Austria straight forecast @ 6/4
Argentina are clearly the outstanding team in this group while the experience of Austria can see them shine again in a major tournament and pip Algeria in the final World Cup Group J table .
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*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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