Argentina will look to maintain their 100 per cent record at the World Cup as they close out their group-stage campaign against debutants Jordan.
Lionel Messi has carried the holders to two opening wins against Algeria and Austria, scoring five goals across the two games to not only seal top spot of Group J but also break Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record – but is rested today.
Jordan are meanwhile heading home after what is a dead rubber against the 2022 champions - but in the other Group J game, there is everything to play for as Algeria and Austria battle for knockouts qualification. Both teams are on three points meaning a draw would be enough for both to progress, and this would likely be the preferred result for Algeria anyway, because if they win, they’ll go through as group runners-up and face one of the favourites in Spain in the round of 32.
Follow all the action as Group J reaches its climax at the World Cup:
Read MoreWhat do Austria and Algeria need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts from Group J?
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Argentina boss to rest Lionel Messi for group stage finale against Jordan
Jordan vs Argentina LIVE
- Argentina round off World Cup group stage with dead rubber against Jordan | Kick-off at 3am BST, live on BBC One
- Lionel Messi has made blistering start to tournament but starts on bench
- Algeria and Austria also clash with both hunting qualification
- Group J runners-up will face Spain in round of 32
Austria focused on victory rather than possible Spain tie
02:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustria coach Ralf Rangnick and midfielder Konrad Laimer insisted that their sole focus was beating Algeria and reaching the World Cup knockout stage, dismissing suggestions that avoiding victory could provide a more favourable route.
Tonight’s Group J finale has generated unusual intrigue because the runners-up could be on course to face European champions Spain in the round of 32, while the third-placed finisher would likely play less daunting opponents.
Rangnick quickly shut down the discussion on Friday when he was asked if Austria might prefer to lose on Saturday.
"No, definitely not. Next question," the Austria manager replied.
Laimer struck a similar tone, insisting Austria's players were uninterested in speculation about a possible meeting with Spain.
"I don't care, honestly," the Bayern Munich midfielder said. "We go out, we want to win the game. We want to come through the group stage, and then we don't know if it's Spain or not. We will see tomorrow after the game which nation we got, but in the end we want to focus on us. We want to win the game. We want to come through the group stage, and then it doesn't matter for me who we face."
Jordan hope for positive farewell to World Cup
02:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThey may be out of the tournament already but Jordan are looking to sign off on a positive note at the World Cup.
"Being able to be here is a message that we would like to convey about the Jordanian people and about Jordanian culture, to show to the world who we are," captain Noor Al-Rawabdeh said.
"The Jordanians are people who have dreams and perseverance and we're happy that we have been able to reflect this image."
Team news – Austria
01:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustria XI: A Schlager; Posch, Leinhart, Alaba, Mwene; Schmid, X Schlager, Laimer, Seiwald, Sabitzer; Arnautovic.
Team news – Algeria
01:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlgeria XI: Benbot; Mandi, Hadjam, Belghali, Bensebaini; Aouar, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Maza, Chaibi; Gouri.
Team news – Argentina
01:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleAs expected, Lionel Messi is left on the bench but it still looks an Argentina XI packed with attacking talent.
Argentina XI: E Martinez; Palacios, Senesi, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Paredes, Lo Celso, Paz; Simeone, Alvarez, Martinez.
Team news – Jordan
01:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere are three changes for Jordan, with Mousa Al Tamari only on the bench in a bit of a surprise.
Jordan XI: Abulaila; Abu Dahab, Nasib, Al Arab; Haddad, Al Rashdan, Al Rawabdeh, Abu Taha; Fakhoury, Azaizeh; Olwan.
Will Lionel Messi be rested?
01:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleOrdinarily. Lionel Messi might see this as a chance to swell his personal tally – but will the Argentina captain play? It seems like he’ll be on the bench, but we’ll have official team news shortly...
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings as Cristiano Ronaldo joins Messi, Mbappe and Haaland in race
01:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe chase for the golden boot is hotting up in North America – it may be secondary to the overall World Cup prize but the tournament’s top forwards will have their eye on the prize.
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Ronaldo, Messi and Mbappe
Echoes of the Disgrace of Gijon?
01:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThey do say history recurs, and there are strange echoes of the “Disgrace of Gijon” about this game. Austria were the team beaten by West Germany 1-0 at the 1982 World Cup in a mutually beneficial result that eliminated Algeria, and ensured that the final round of group games would kick off simultaneously going forward. Jamie Braidwood explains.
Why are World Cup games kicking off at the same time?
What do Austria need to qualify?
01:15 , Will CastleAny result other than defeat for Austria would similarly be enough to progress to the knockouts. Victory will see them finish as group runners-up, as would a draw due to their superior goal difference.
The only scenario where Algeria can leapfrog them into second is if they lose. There is still a chance can Austria progress on three points from third if the defeat is a slender one, with their goal difference currently zero.
As mentioned previously, this eventuality would probably offer a better round of 32 draw, but the high risk of dropping into third will not look enticing for Austria. Weirdly enough, a draw seems to suit both teams best - don’t be surprised if this one has an oddly uncompetitive feel to it.
What do Austria and Algeria need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts from Group J?
What do Algeria need to qualify?
01:10 , Will CastleAlgeria need to avoid defeat to ensure their progression into the World Cup knockouts. Which result would be more beneficial to them, however, is interestingly up for debate.
A win will take them into second place, setting up a round of 32 clash against the winner of Group H. That will likely mean they face Spain, who are one of the favourites to go all the way this year.
But if they draw and seal qualification as one of the eight-best third-placed teams, they will face either the winner of Group A - which is Mexico - or the winner of Group G, Belgium.
Defeat, on the other hand, will put their World Cup progression at serious risk. Losing by anything more than one goal will put them out of contention to go through in third due to poor goal difference, but the likelihood is they would be bumped out by the group stage’s conclusion regardless.
How Group J looks
01:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere’s how it all sits entering the final round of fixtures in Group J:
Jordan vs Argentina LIVE
Saturday 27 June 2026 22:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe final fixtures of the 2026 World Cup group stage are here as Argentina, Jordan, Algeria and Austria send us into the knockout rounds. Kick off in Group J’s last two games is at 3am BST.
