Lionel Messi and Argentina are hoping to become the first to win back-to-back World Cups in six decades.
Their opponents in Group J have other ambitions. Algeria and Austria return after a long absence, while Jordan participates for the first time in a World Cup expanded to 48 nations.
A second world title could strengthen Messi’s position in the debate over the best player in soccer history, alongside Pelé and Diego Maradona. As of mid-April, Messi had not yet confirmed his participation.
The Albiceleste won the 2022 final in a shootout against France. No men’s team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958, led by Pelé, and 1962, when Pelé missed most of the tournament due to injury.
Argentina
Argentina, three-time world champion and third world nation, will face Algeria (28th) on June 16, then Austria and Jordan in a group which should allow it to easily reach the round of 16.
The Albiceleste booked their ticket to the World Cup 15 months before the start of the tournament thanks to a victory against Brazil, in the absence of Messi, injured in his adductor muscles.
Nine of the starters were the same as in the World Cup final, with midfielders Thiago Almada and Leandro Paredes replacing Messi and Angel Di María, who retired from international duty in 2024 after contributing to Argentina’s second consecutive Copa America victory.
Among these starters, we will find, for the World Cup, Nicolás Otamendi (38 years old), Nicolás Tagliafico (33 years old) and Rodrigo De Paul (32 years old).
Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday two days after Argentina’s second match, could, with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, become the first player to play in six World Cups.
Messi already holds the record for the number of matches played (26) and is tied for third place in the scorers’ table with Just Fontaine (13 goals), behind Miroslav Klose (16), the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) and Gerd Müller (14).
With 116 goals for the national team before June, Messi is second behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 143 goals. He also finished top scorer in the South American qualifiers with eight goals.
Lionel Scaloni, who became Argentina coach in 2018, hopes to become the second coach to win two World Cups after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938.
Algeria
Double African champion (1990 and 2019), Algeria is participating in its first World Cup since 2014, the year in which it reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Germany in overtime.
Algeria recorded eight wins, one loss and one draw in qualifying. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is captain at 35 and, with 38 goals for the national team, he is second in the ranking of his country’s top scorers, behind Islam Slimani (45 goals).
Other key players include left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri and defender Ramy Bensebaini.
Coach Vladimir Petković led the Swiss national team from 2014 to 2021.
Austria
Participating in the World Cup for the eighth time, a first since 1998, Austria hopes to advance past the first round for the first time since 1982.
Marko Arnautović will turn 37 in April and will probably be the oldest player in the squad. He is the top scorer (47 goals) and the most selected player (132 caps) in the history of the Austrian selection.
Captain David Alaba, a defender who will celebrate his 34th birthday during the tournament, has to his credit more than 120 Champions League matches and four European club titles.
Other important players include midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer.
Coach Ralf Rangnick took the reins of the national team in 2022 after spells at Manchester United, Hoffenheim, Schalke, Stuttgart and Leipzig.
Jordan
Jordan, which is participating in the World Cup for the first time, has never enjoyed great international success. Its best results in the Asian Cup are a runners-up place in 2023 and quarter-finals in 2004 and 2011.
Musa Al-Taamari, author of 24 goals for the national team, plays at Stade Rennais in France and is one of the rare Jordanians playing in a European club. Ibrahim Sabra, another striker, plays for Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia.
Former Morocco midfielder, Jamal Sellami has taken over as head of the Jordanian selection in 2024.
