Argentina Fc Drawn With Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J
Argentina fc landed in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving Lionel Scaloni's side a clear path and a difficult first hurdle at the same time. The holders enter the tournament after winning the 2022 final on penalties against France in Qatar, but the road to defending that crown now runs through a group that could shape the whole bracket.
Scaloni Faces Group J
Argentina were placed with Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and the numbers behind the draw point to a strong chance of reaching the knockout rounds. Across 10,000 pre-tournament simulations, they advanced to the last 32 in 96.9% of cases and won Group J in 72.6% of cases.
If they finish first, the reward is already mapped out. Argentina would face the runners-up in Group H, with Opta's current projections pointing to Uruguay as the likely opponent in the last 32 on 3 July in Miami Gardens.
Uruguay on the Route
That matchup would bring a familiar opponent into the bracket. Argentina have lost just one of their last nine meetings with Uruguay, and in seven of the eight most recent encounters Uruguay failed to score. Argentina also lost 2-0 to Uruguay at the Bombonera in World Cup qualifying in November 2023, so the path would carry a recent test as well as a statistical edge.
A win over Uruguay would send Argentina into a last-16 match in Atlanta on 7 July, keeping the bracket moving toward the final scheduled for 19 July in New Jersey. The 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams, with 16 teams eliminated before the knockout stages, so every group result feeds directly into where the reigning champions land next.
Messi and Portugal
Another projected route also puts a major name in play. Based on current projections, Türkiye would be the most likely opponent for Argentina in the last 32, and Argentina and Türkiye have never met in a men’s international fixture.
Elsewhere on the bracket, Argentina's history with Portugal offers a sharper reference point. The teams have never met in a World Cup, their most recent match finished 0-0 in an international friendly in November 2014 after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both came off at half-time, and Portugal beat Argentina 2-1 in February 2011, when Ronaldo scored and Messi converted an 89th-minute winning penalty.
