World Cup Group J Predictions & Betting Tips
Will Jackson 
Scott McGlynn
Defending champions Argentina headline Group J, with Lionel Scaloni's side facing Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
By average ranking it is one of the more difficult groups in the tournament - Austria reached Euro 2024 having topped a group containing France and the Netherlands - but Argentina remain firm favourites to top it.
The big question for Argentina is Lionel Messi and what sort of role he can play at the age of 38, having been such an influence when he finally lifted the biggest trophy in world football.
Austria under Ralf Rangnick are arguably the most dangerous opposition in the group, while Algeria are at their first World Cup since 2014.
Browse our World Cup 2026 betting offers before placing your bets on Group J.
Group J Teams & Form
Argentina
The reigning world champions return with a more complete squad than the one that won Qatar 2022.
Lionel Scaloni has built strength in depth - Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Cristian Romero all play in elite European leagues.
Argentina topped CONMEBOL qualifying and were the first South American side to seal qualification.
The Messi question hangs over everything. He has said he likely will not play another World Cup at his age, but Scaloni has not ruled him out but realistically, it would be a massive shock if he did not go - especially considering his move to the US would likely have had a lot to do with the World Cup.
If Argentina go deep, Messi's fitness will be central to the story.
Austria
Ralf Rangnick has transformed Austria.
They topped a Euro 2024 group containing France, the Netherlands and Poland, and qualified for 2026 with the same disciplined, high-pressing structure. Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba, Konrad Laimer and Marko Arnautovic give Austria a competitive XI in any group.
They are the dangerous side here, particularly if Argentina are below their best.
Algeria
Vladimir Petkovic took over Algeria in 2024 and qualified them comfortably. The Desert Foxes are at their first World Cup since 2014 and bring AFCON regulars like Riyad Mahrez and Ismael Bennacer. The squad has European-level quality but lacks recent World Cup experience.
Petkovic's previous work with Switzerland gives confidence in his tournament management.
Jordan
Jordan are at their first ever World Cup, qualifying through AFC after reaching the AFC Asian Cup final in 2023.
The squad is built around Musa Al-Tamari, who plays his club football in France, but the depth is limited compared to the other three sides. Jordan will be the underdogs in every match but they are a defensively organised side that will not be easily broken down.
Group J Predictions
Argentina should win the group but it is not the procession their price suggests. Austria are a genuinely dangerous side and Rangnick has shown he can take down higher-ranked opposition. The Argentina vs Austria fixture on 22 June could decide top spot.
Argentins should top the group, but I'm leaning towards Austria causing an upset and sneaking in ahead of them. That leaves Argentina in second and Algeria to take third and potentially qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Jordan are the most likely to finish bottom and to fail to progress, though Algeria are not safe given the squad gap to Argentina.
The third-place lottery is where the value lies. Austria offer slightly better value than Argentina at the top of the group given how short the favourites are.
Group J Betting Tips
Find more analysis on every fixture in our World Cup 2026 tips hub as the tournament approaches, but here are three top prices and pre-tournament tips to use with our free bet offers.
Tip 1: Austria to Win Group J
Given the new World Cup format, I expect to see far fewer upsets in the early rounds of the tournament, with a lot of weaker teams involved this year which should make the path through easier for the more established teams.
Austria have earned the right to be considered stablished, but will recognise Argentina will be favourites for the group. But with question marks over how Messi will cope with the intensity of the game at his age, I think Argentina could come unstuck at some point in the groups.
Tip 2: Algeria to Qualify From Group J
There's almost no doubt Argentina will qualify for the knockouts, but there is no value in that as a tip, so we will stay clear of that.
Algeria, though have a decent claim to be one of the top third-placed teams. They should beat Jordan which gives them a good starting point, but then a point against either Argentina or Austria is not out of the question, and that should put them in a good position.
I'm a little disappointed in the odds for them to qualify though. It feels way too short.
Tip 3: Austria to Win Group J, Argentina + Algeria to Qualify
Let's see how Argentina get on in this tournament.
They have a lot of quality outside of Messi, so it's not as though it is totally reliant on him performing, but you just get the feeling they are always vulnerable to an upset at some point.
Remember Saudi Arabia in the group stages in 2022? Something similar would not be a surprise, before they kick into top gear.
Market Outlook
Argentina are heavy favourites to win Group J but the price is shorter than the underlying probability suggests, given the threat from Austria. Austria are clear second favourites, with Algeria mid-market and Jordan at the longest prices. Argentina and Austria are both short prices to qualify.
You can compare prices for this group across all major betting sites on our World Cup 2026 betting odds page.
Odds are subject to change. 18+ only. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
Group J fixtures
- Argentina vs Algeria - 16 June, 02:00 BST
- Austria vs Jordan - 17 June, 05:00 BST
- Argentina vs Austria - 22 June, 18:00 BST
- Jordan vs Algeria - 23 June, 04:00 BST
- Algeria vs Austria - 27 June, 03:00 BST
- Jordan vs Argentina - 27 June, 03:00 BST
