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Argentina already has one and a half feet in the knockout stage. Group J of the 2026 World Cup reaches its final day with the Albiceleste as the absolute leader, Austria and Algeria fighting for the second spot, and Jordan saying farewell to the tournament without having earned a single point. Here is the after two matches played.
What the first two days left behind
On June 16, Argentina began the group stage with a resounding 3-0 victory over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick that set the tone for the group right from the first minute.
In the other match of that first date, Austria defeated Jordan 3-1 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, with goals from Schmid, Arnautović, and an own goal, plus a penalty in stoppage time.
The second round confirmed the hierarchy. On Monday, Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington: Messi scored in the 38th minute and again in the 95th, and with that second goal he became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's 16.
In parallel, Algeria came back from a goal down to defeat Jordan 2-1 in Santa Clara and keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
The table after two dates
PosEquipoPJPtsDG| 1 | Argentina | 2 | 6 | +5 |
| 2 | Austria | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Argelia | 2 | 3 | -2 |
| 4 | Jordania | 2 | 0 | -3 |
Argentina and Austria are mathematically classified. Algeria occupies the third place with a "+" sign indicating that, for now, it would qualify as the best third-placed team, although this spot is not guaranteed until the group stage concludes across the 12 groups. Jordan is eliminated.
The scenarios for matchday 3
The four teams will play simultaneously on Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 PM Cuba time (9:00 PM local time): Algeria vs Austria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and Jordan vs Argentina at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Simultaneity is the standard format set by FIFA to prevent collusion.
Argentina arrives without qualifying pressure but with something at stake: a win against Jordan guarantees the top spot in the group; a loss, combined with an Austrian victory, could hand the lead to the Europeans.
Austria needs to win against Algeria to secure second place and, depending on the result of the other match, could even take first place from Argentina.
Algeria is the team with the most at stake. If they win against Austria, they will reach six points and can compete for the second place in the group. If they draw or lose, they will have three or four points, and their continuation in the tournament will depend on whether their goal difference is sufficient to be among the eight best third-placed teams out of the 12 groups, a battle that will be determined by the last match of the group phase throughout the competition.
Jordan, eliminated with zero points, concludes its historic first participation in a World Cup without the pressure of the result but with the dignity of having made it this far.
In the 2026 World Cup with 48 teams, the top two from each group will qualify, along with the eight best third-place teams out of the possible 12, which makes every point and every goal crucial until the final whistle of the group stage.
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