Group J — Defending champion Argentina at Arrowhead

Teams in Group J

Group J overview

Group J is the defending champion's group. Argentina arrive as Qatar 2022 winners and Copa América 2024 champions — they are 5.5 outright favourites for a second consecutive World Cup, the only nation to be priced below 10.0 outside the trio of France/Spain/England. Messi's farewell tournament. Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad includes 8 players aged 21 or under, including 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid).

Ralf Rangnick's Austria at their first World Cup since 1998 — twenty-eight years ago. Topped a Euro 2024 group containing France and the Netherlands. Squad: Marko Arnautović (37, Bologna), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Marcel Sabitzer (Dortmund), Konrad Laimer (Bayern).

Vladimir Petković — who managed Switzerland to two consecutive Euro quarter-finals — takes charge of Algeria. Jordan, under Jamal Sellami, debut at the World Cup after their AFC Asian Cup 2024 final appearance.

Group winner most likely faces a Group K runner-up (likely Colombia) in the Round of 32. Scaloni's side base themselves at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for the entire group stage.

Full match schedule

All six Group J fixtures with live odds from our three partner bookmakers — Mostbet, Fonbet, 1xBet. Click any match for the full preview, predicted lineups and value-bet picks.

Standings outlook & knockout path

Most likely winner: Argentina (priced around 1.30). Far and away group favourites — would require a multi-match collapse to not win.

Most likely runner-up: Austria. Rangnick's tactical preparation plus the squad's European-club spine makes them the clear second-tier pick.

Best longshot for second: Algeria. Petković's tournament experience plus the squad's individual quality (Mahrez, Bennacer, Slimani) makes them competitive.

Jordan bottom is the modal outcome — but their AFC Asian Cup 2024 final run shows they are not making up the numbers.

Group J venues

Group J FAQ