World Cup 2026 Group J Predictions: Game 1

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Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina start the defence of their World Cup by facing Algeria, while Austria and Jordan clash as Elliott Bretland previews the opening games in Group J.

Lionel Scaloni led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022

Argentina are the defending champions after defeating France in Qatar in 2022
They are joined by Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J
Lionel Messi is set for his final World Cup

World champions Argentina begin the defence of their crown when they take on Algeria in the opening Group J game in Kansas City at 2am BST Wednesday morning.

Then, at 5am BST, Austria face Jordan in Santa Clara, California, knowing an opening win will put them in a strong position to reach the World Cup last 32.

Here we pick out the best bets for the first round of Group J matches.

Follow every World Cup 2026 score with LiveScore including Argentina vs Algeria and Austria vs Jordan.

Best Bets:

Argentina vs Algeria, (Wednesday, 2am)

Argentina won a third World Cup in 2022 as Lionel Messi followed in the footsteps of Diego Maradona to lift football’s biggest prize.

Cementing his legendary standing in the nation’s pantheon of greats, Messi could make history by guiding Argentina to successive titles this summer.

The quest starts in Kansas City where the White and Sky Blue will be favourites to earn an opening game win against Algeria.

Vladimir Petkovic’s men will be no pushovers having finished top of Group G in CAF qualifying before beating the Netherlands in a friendly at the start of June.

However, Argentina will likely possess too much quality for the Greens on the night.

The side, managed by Lionel Scaloni since 2018, have won eight of their last nine matches, conceding just two goals in that time.

Algeria have found the net against Bolivia, Guatemala and Nigeria in 2026 but drew a blank against Uruguay and will likely do so again when coming up against this La Seleccion backline.

Backing Argentina to beat Algeria without conceding could prove a smart pick.

Score Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Algeria

See the latest Argentina vs Algeria odds on LiveScore Bet

Austria vs Jordan (Wednesday, 5am)

Austria arrive at the World Cup having suffered only one defeat in 11 games over the past 12 months and will fancy their chances of advancing from Group J and reaching the knockout stages.

Getting off to a strong start against Jordan will be crucial to their aims and they will take confidence from recent friendly wins over Ghana, South Korea and Tunisia.

While Austria are favourites to pick up three points in their opening game in Santa Clara, it might be worth exploring where the goals will be scored.

Jordan had found the net in 10 straight games before drawing a blank against Colombia in a friendly earlier this month.

Scoring against Egypt, Morocco, Costa Rica and Switzerland, Jamal Sellami’s men have proved they are dangerous on the attack and so backing both teams to find the net when Jordan face Austria may be a wise bet.

Score Prediction: Austria 2-1 Jordan