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FIFA WC 2026 Group J: Messi-led Argentina eyeing successful title defence | FIFA World Cup 2022

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Defending champions Argentina begin their quest to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a FIFA World Cup title. Lionel Messi is set for a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance as Lionel Scaloni’s side take on Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J.

 


Argentina are overwhelming favourites on paper, but Austria’s aggressive pressing game, Algeria’s strongest qualifying campaign in history and Jordan’s fearless debut ensure there should be plenty of intrigue behind the battle for top spot.


FIFA WC 2026 Group J: Teams


  • Argentina

  • Algeria

  • Austria

  • Jordan


FIFA WC 2026 Group J: Team analysis


Argentina

 
 

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Argentina arrive in North America carrying the weight of expectation once again. The reigning world champions followed their 2022 World Cup triumph with another Copa America title in 2024 and remain one of the most complete sides in international football.

 


Lionel Scaloni has retained the core that conquered Qatar, blending experience with emerging talents such as Nico Paz and Giuliano Simeone. While Lionel Messi remains the face of the team, Argentina have shown they are capable of winning without relying solely on their captain.

 

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The squad remains packed with quality across every department. Emiliano Martínez provides reliability in goal, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez anchor the defence, while Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández form one of the strongest midfield units in the competition.

 

Argentina’s full squad for the FIFA WC 2026: Juan Musso, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Leandro Paredes, Lisandro Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Giovani Lo Celso, Gerónimo Rulli, Cristian Romero, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás González, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Nicolás Otamendi, Alexis Mac Allister, José Manuel López, Lautaro Martínez, Emiliano Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina. 

 

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Algeria

 


Algeria return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 hoping to recreate the magic that took them to the Round of 16 in Brazil. Vladimir Petković has moulded a side that combines experienced leaders with a new generation of attacking talent.

 

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Riyad Mahrez remains the emotional leader despite entering the twilight of his career, while Mohammed Amoura emerged as one of Africa’s most dangerous forwards during qualifying. The emergence of players such as Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa has added fresh energy to the squad.

 


Algeria enjoyed their best-ever World Cup qualifying campaign and arrive with genuine ambitions of progressing beyond the group stage.

 

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Algeria’s full squad for FIFA WC 2026: Melvin Mastil, Aïssa Mandi, Achref Abada, Mohamed Amine Tougai, Zineddine Belaïd, Ramiz Zerrouki, Riyad Mahrez, Houssem Aouar, Amine Gouiri, Fares Chaibi, Anis Hadj Moussa, Nadhir Benbouali, Jaouen Hadjam, Hicham Boudaoui, Rayan Aït Nouri, Oussama Benbot, Rafik Belghali, Mohamed Amoura, Nabil Bentaleb, Adil Boulbina, Ramy Bensebaini, Ibrahim Maza, Luca Zidane, Yacine Titraoui, Fares Ghedjemis, Samir Chergui.

 


Austria

 

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Austria are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after establishing themselves as one of Europe’s most organised teams under Ralf Rangnick.

 


Known for their relentless pressing and intensity, Austria topped a difficult qualifying group and arrive with considerable momentum. David Alaba finally gets the opportunity to play on football’s biggest stage, while Marko Arnautović remains a proven goalscorer despite being in the latter stages of his career.

 

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The midfield combination of Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer and Nicolas Seiwald gives Austria energy and tactical flexibility, while Rangnick’s system makes them difficult opponents for any team.

 


Austria’s full squad for FIFA WC 2026: Alexander Schlager, David Affengruber, Kevin Danso, Xaver Schlager, Stefan Posch, Nicolas Seiwald, Marko Arnautović, David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, Florian Grillitsch, Michael Gregoritsch, Florian Wiegele, Patrick Pentz, Saša Kalajdžić, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romano Schmid, Konrad Laimer, Patrick Wimmer, Alexander Prass, Marco Friedl, Paul Wanner, Michael Svoboda, Alessandro Schöpf.

 

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Jordan

 


Jordan are one of the stories of the tournament after qualifying for their first-ever World Cup. Their remarkable rise began with a run to the 2024 AFC Asian Cup final before they carried that momentum into qualifying.

 

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Head coach Jamal Sellami has built a disciplined side capable of frustrating stronger opponents, while Mousa Al-Taamari provides the attacking spark. Jordan scored a national-record 32 goals during qualifying and proved difficult to beat away from home.

 


While expectations remain modest, Jordan have already exceeded previous national achievements simply by reaching the finals.

 

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Jordan’s full squad for FIFA WC 2026: Yazeed Abulaila, Mohammad Abu Hashish, Abdallah Nasib, Husam Abu Dahab, Yazan Al Arab, Amer Jamous, Mohammad Abu Zrayq, Noor Al Rawabdeh, Ali Olwan, Musa Al Taamari, Odeh Al Fakhouri, Nour Bani Attiah, Mahmoud Al Mardi, Rajaei Ayed, Ibrahim Sadeh, Mo Abualnadi, Salim Obaid, Mohammad Taha, Saed Al Rosan, Mohannad Abu Taha, Nizar Al Rashdan, Abdallah Al Fakhouri, Ihsan Haddad, Ali Azaizeh, Mohammad Al Dawoud, Anas Badawi.


FIFA WC 2026 Group J: Players to watch out for


Argentina — Lionel Messi

 


Even at 39, Messi remains the focal point of Argentina’s attack. The captain enters a record sixth World Cup appearance after scoring eight goals in qualifying and continues to be the player opponents fear most. Having completed football’s greatest prize collection in 2022, he now has the opportunity to achieve something even Diego Maradona never managed — defend a World Cup title.

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Algeria — Riyad Mahrez

 


The Algeria captain remains the team’s creative heartbeat. While age has reduced some of his explosiveness, his vision, technical quality and leadership remain vital. Mahrez’s experience could prove decisive in what is expected to be a tightly contested battle for second place.

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Austria — Konrad Laimer

 


One of Europe’s most complete midfielders, Laimer embodies Austria’s pressing identity. His versatility, work rate and tactical intelligence allow him to influence matches in multiple positions and make him one of Austria’s most important players.

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Jordan — Mousa Al-Taamari

 


Jordan’s biggest star and most accomplished player in European football, the Rennes winger combines pace, dribbling ability and creativity, and much of Jordan’s attacking threat will flow through him during their historic World Cup debut.

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FIFA WC 2026 Group J: Final standings prediction

 

Argentina possess too much quality, experience and tournament pedigree not to top the group. The battle for second should be one of the closest in the tournament, with Austria’s pressing system and greater squad depth giving them a slight edge over Algeria. Jordan will be competitive but may find the step up in quality difficult against three experienced opponents.  Group J final standings (Predicted) 
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  • Argentina

  • Austria

  • Algeria

  • Jordan


FIFA WC 2026 Group J: Full schedule


Matchday

Date

Time (IST)

Fixture

Matchday 1

17 June 2026

6:30 AM

Argentina vs Algeria

Matchday 1

17 June 2026

9:30 AM

Austria vs Jordan

Matchday 2

22 June 2026

10:30 PM

Argentina vs Austria

Matchday 2

23 June 2026

8:30 AM

Jordan vs Algeria

Matchday 3

28 June 2026

7:30 AM

Algeria vs Austria

Matchday 3

28 June 2026

7:30 AM

Jordan vs Argentina

 

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King Alexander & Daniel King win Tote Galway Plate

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King Alexander (20/1) won the Tote Galway Plate at Ballybrit on Wednesday afternoon,

Trained by Willie Mullins, the Daniel King-ridden eight-year-old gave the Closutton trainer his third victory in the Grade 3 feature.

In a race where big-priced horses filled the first three spots, Paul Nolan’s Conyers Hill (25/1), the mount of Aldan O’Sullivan, was second, with Gorgeous Tom (25/1), from the Waterford stable of Henry de Bromhead, third at 25/1.

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There was only a half-length and three-quarters-of-a-length respectively between the first three finishers in the €270,000 Wednesday feature.

Willie Mullins treble

The win completed a treble for Mullins this evening, having earlier won the maiden hurdle and the mares’ handicap hurdle.

The champion trainer began the day with the victory of Mr Hollywood (2/1 favourite) in the opening Tote Guaranteed 50k Placepot Maiden Hurdle.

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The gelded bay son of Iquitos, last seen when finishing third in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot last month, came late on the stands’ side under Brian Hayes as the six-year-old beat Emmet Mullins’ Jeroboam Machin (10/1) and Donagh Meyler by half-a-length. Another Willie Mullins-prepared runner, Al Arrivee (3/1), the mount of Patrick Mullins, was two-and-a-half lengths further back to complete a Mullins family trifecta.

Mullins had brought up a double on the evening when the impressive French-bred Venusienne took the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten by SP Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle for rider Harry Cobden. The daughter of Capital Stud’s Authorized had a two-and-a-half length advantage over the Joseph O’Brien-trained Fratas (2/1f) at the winning line, with Emesteraye (16/1) third.

Berkshire is Mighty in Handicap Hurdle

Mighty Berkshire (15/2) was a popular victor in the Tote.ie Money-Back 2nd Every Race Handicap Hurdle for owner/jockey Declan Queally. The Waterford handler’s runner was only contesting his second handicap, and the addition of new headgear seemed to help the six-year-old bay gelding. Owned by the Man About Dog Syndicate, comprising members from counties in Munster, Mighty Berkshire won by a length-and-a-quarter from Noel Meade’s Golden Temple (5/1), with Macshadow Des Crai third at 14/1 under Jack Kennedy.

Birthday winner for Dermot Weld

Abbotsford (7/4 favourite), owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, gave Dermot Weld a birthday present when winning the Visit Tote26 On Course (Q.R.) Maiden over one mile four furlongs and 43 yards.

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The three-year-old son of Frankel, who was gelded since finishing runner-up at Cork last May, was an easy seven-and-a-half length winner for amateur jockey Finny Maguire, son of former top National Hunt rider, Adrian.

Joey Sheridan and Minella Rockett (10/1) came late in the Tote Every Day Is A Money-Back Day Handicap to get a neck advantage over Johnny Soda (11/2) at the line, to deny Ado McGuinness another winner at Galway this week. Krasimir (15/2) was a head back in a tight finish to the 1 mile 123 yards race.

The final race of Galway Plate Day, the Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap went the way of Cock And Bull (7/2jf) for Sam Coen and Emmet Mullins.

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Duleep Trophy 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named East Zone vice-captain led by Ishan Kishan

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India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another milestone to his rapidly rising career after being appointed vice-captain of the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2026. Fresh from winning the Player of the Series award during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi will serve as deputy to Ishan Kishan, who has been named captain of the East Zone side for the prestigious red-ball tournament beginning on August 23 in Bengaluru.

The vice-captaincy marks another major achievement for the youngster, who made his international debut during India’s tour of England earlier this month. Following a string of impressive performances for India and in domestic cricket, Sooryavanshi has now been entrusted with a leadership role in one of India’s premier domestic tournaments.

He is expected to open the batting alongside experienced Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who returns as the most seasoned player in the squad with more than 100 first-class appearances.

Ishan Kishan to lead experienced East Zone squad

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will captain an East Zone side that blends experienced international cricketers with emerging talent. Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami returns to the domestic circuit after missing international action since the 2025 Champions Trophy final. The 35-year-old featured for Bengal in the 2025-26 domestic season and also played 13 matches for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.

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The squad also includes India fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, Jharkhand batter Virat Singh, wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra, and spin all-rounder Anukul Roy, who impressed during India A’s successful tri-series campaign in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

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Riyan Parag, Akash Deep miss out

East Zone will be without two prominent names, Riyan Parag and Akash Deep, both of whom continue their rehabilitation after undergoing surgeries. Parag is recovering from right shoulder surgery, while Akash Deep remains sidelined following back surgery. Neither player was considered for selection as they continue their recovery programmes.

East Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2026

Full Squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suraj Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (vice-captain), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan, Subranshu Senapati, Abhijit Sarkar, Anukul Roy and Denish Das.

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Standbyes: Ayush Loharuka, Sridam Paul, Sambit S Baral, Sharandeep Singh and Swastik Samal.

The Duleep Trophy, one of India’s premier first-class competitions, gets underway in Bengaluru on August 23.

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Former NBA champion has Magic, other teams finishing ahead of Sixers

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The Philadelphia 76ers figure to be at or near the top of the Eastern Conference after a busy offseason that brought in Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and a slew of others to join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe on a talented roster. The Sixers now have one of the best rosters in the league and should be contending for a title in the upcoming season.

That doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park. The East is tough with a number of teams that have the talent to reach the finals. The New York Knicks are the defending champs. The Detroit Pistons won 60 games. The Indiana Pacers are getting Tyrese Haliburton back from injury. The Miami Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Toronto Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard and so on, and so on.

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With that being said, the Sixers should still be at the top of the East. However, when asking former champion Jason Williams, he isn’t buying the Sixers:

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The Knicks are going to be better. Miami is going to be better. Orlando Magic will finish higher than the Sixers…Atlanta will finish higher.

Please be advised that the clip below contains language that some might consider offensive.

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This simple putting fix had me reading greens like a pro

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MLB Highlights (July 29)

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MLB Highlights (July 29)

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FIFA private investor plans spark backlash, UEFA fury

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FIFA said Tuesday it plans to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup and its other competitions through the creation of a semi-private subsidiary. The decision marks a dramatic attempt to reshape the commercial landscape of global football, while opening a new front in a long-running battle with Europe for control over the massive wealth generated by the sport.

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Sir Clive Lloyd pays tribute to ‘greatest all-round cricketer’ Sir Garfield Sobers at funeral

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Sir Garfield Sobers was called the “greatest all-round cricketer the world has ever known” by former team-mate Sir Clive Lloyd at the legendary West Indies player’s state funeral in Barbados.

Lloyd described all-rounder Sobers, who died aged 89 on 17 July, as “a man who lived in the hearts and minds of Caribbean people and who became a source of inspiration to millions throughout the world”.

An entertaining left-handed batter and bowler of seam and spin, Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs and taking 235 wickets.

The funeral was staged at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, the principle ground in Barbados and home to a pavilion named after Sobers.

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Lloyd and fellow West Indies legends Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes were among those who spoke at the state service of thanksgiving, which was also attended by Barbados president Jeffrey Bostic, prime minister Mia Mottley and Barbadian music superstar Rihanna.

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase, who comes from Barbados, vice-captain Jomel Warrican and the current side’s Barbadian players were also in attendance, having completed a Test victory over Pakistan on Monday, winning by 90 runs inside four days in Trinidad.

“Sir Garfield Sobers was not merely the outstanding cricketer of his generation,” Lloyd added. “He brought to the beautiful game a rare combination of brilliance, imagination, courage and joy.”

Sobers’ coffin was draped in the flag of Barbados and set off from the Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown on a gun carriage for a formal procession through the nation’s capital.

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On arrival at the stadium, the carriage passed through a guard of honour of raised cricket bats.

“This is not a sad moment,” Lara said of his mentor. “This is a moment for us to celebrate and I hope you feel the same. Today we celebrate the remarkable life of the greatest all-round cricketer.

“We celebrate a man who gave so much to his family, to Barbados, to the West Indies and all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Sobers scored 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 – an effort which stood as the record Test score for 36 years.

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He was also named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century.

During his stint at Nottinghamshire in 1968, Sobers became the first player to hit a six off all six balls in an over in a first-class match.

Mottley described Sobers as “a man who if he had not achieved any of those great feats on the cricket field would have been immortalised by his community as a good man and a great man”.

Reverend Canon Guy Hewitt read out a message from King Charles during the service.

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“History is distinguished with sporting champions whose records have rightly commanded respect across generations,” the message read. “There have been far fewer however whose name along brings a smile to people’s faces across Barbados, the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.

“Sir Garfield Sobers belongs very firmly in the latter category. I send my deepest sympathies to Sir Garry’s family as they come to terms with this great loss.”

Sobers’ body lay in state at the Barbados parliament on Monday and at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday, with national dignitaries and members of the public able to pay their respects.

He will be laid to rest at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens in the south of Barbados.

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The Inner Circle 24: “This is always my bread and butter”

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Malaysian-American flyweight Muay Thai standout Johan Ghazali is not looking for a technical chess match at The Inner Circle 24 on Friday, July 31. “Jojo” is looking for exactly the kind of fight Ramadan Ondash brings, and he has been here before.

Ghazali carries eight ONE Championship victories into Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok this Friday.

He has since navigated the pressures and setbacks that come with competing at the global level, including a unanimous decision loss to Shimon Yoshinari at ONE SAMURAI 1 in April.

He sees in Ondash a reflection of his own trajectory at an earlier stage, and that perspective shapes exactly how confident he is about the outcome.

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The Rentap Muay Thai and Superbon Training Camp athlete told ONE Championship:

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“He knows this fight will be the biggest one yet for him. He has to get past me. I’m ready for a fighter of his style and his caliber. I love this type of brawl-style fight. This is always my bread and butter.”

He continued:

“I see Ramadan as a version of myself from two to three years ago in terms of an experience standpoint. I have the experience now, and I’m a little more mature than him heading into this fight.”

Johan Ghazali plans to keep Ramadan Ondash guessing

Johan Ghazali’s game plan extends beyond simply outlasting Ondash in a physical exchange.

The Malaysian-American is aware that a one-dimensional approach against a versatile, aggressive opponent gives away the element of surprise.

He intends to use every tool in his arsenal to stay unpredictable throughout.

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“I’m gonna do it in my favor in the ways that I’ve learned through experience from fighting good fighters. I’ll use all of my advantages to keep him guessing, and I don’t want to be reliant on just one thing,” “Jojo” told the promotion.

Fans can watch the flyweight clash live by purchasing The Inner Circle at live.onefc.com.