Messi’s Group Is Already Wrapped Up. Algeria and Austria Need a Result to Stay Alive.

The last round of group stage games at the 2026 World Cup is here, and Group J has actual stakes for two teams that didn’t expect to be in this spot. Argentina already punched their ticket as group winners. Lionel Scaloni’s squad is undefeated and Messi is still chasing the Golden Boot. But for the other three teams, the math gets weird fast.

Algeria and Austria kick off in Kansas City with everything on the line. Both sit on three points. Austria holds the edge on goal difference after a 3-1 win over Jordan and a 2-0 loss to Argentina. A draw gets Ralf Rangnick’s side through in second place. Algeria needs a win to lock up second outright. A draw might still get them through as one of the best third-place finishers, but that’s no guarantee.

Algeria’s XI vs. Austria

Djamel Belmadi went with his strongest available lineup. Nobody’s resting anyone in this one. The Fennec Foxes are chasing their first knockout round appearance since 2014 and they know Austria’s shape is vulnerable if you press high. The key battle will be in midfield, where Algeria’s Ismail Bennacer has to control tempo against Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer, who’s been their best player in this tournament.

Austria’s back line has looked solid but not spectacular. Rangnick will likely sit deep and invite Algeria to overload the wings, then hit on the counter through Christoph Baumgartner. It’s a simple plan. It might be the right one.

Argentina vs. Jordan: Pride Game for the Chivalrous Ones

Argentina has nothing to play for except momentum. Scaloni made a few rotations but Messi is still starting. That says something about how seriously this team takes its form heading into the knockout rounds. They’ve won every game in this group so far. They want to keep that streak alive.

Jordan is already eliminated. Zero points. Negative goal difference. But they’ve been competitive in stretches. They pushed Austria to 3-1 before a late collapse. They gave Argentina trouble for about 30 minutes in the first half of their opener. The question is whether pride and a World Cup farewell can actually translate to a result against the defending champs. Stranger things have happened. But probably not tonight.

The Jordanian lineup shows a few young players getting their first starts of the tournament. That’s the kind of move you make when you’re already packing for the flight home. They’ll run hard for 90 minutes and see what happens.

Argentina’s XI is almost full strength. The only real surprise is that Julian Alvarez starts over Lautaro Martinez up top. Alvarez has been sharp off the bench and Scaloni wants him to get rhythm before the Round of 32. Messi will play at least an hour. That alone makes this worth watching.