Last, but certainly not least, is Group J which concludes the 2026 World Cup group stages in the early hours of Sunday morning (3am UK time), featuring Argentina, Austria, Algeria, and Jordan.
Lionel Messi, if he plays, will chase more history when Group J winners Argentina take on eliminated Jordan in Arlington.
There’s much more riding on Algeria vs Austria, a fixture which has been a long time in the making since the 1982 World Cup and the “Disgrace of Gijon”, but more on that shortly.
Here are the key World Cup 2026 stats ahead of the final two group stage games.
Key stats in Group J
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Jordan vs Argentina
- Jordan key stat: The Chivalrous Ones have held half-time leads in each of their two games so far, but lost both.
- Argentina key stat: Lionel Messi could become the first player to score in seven successive World Cup games.
Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria to become the all-time leading World Cup scorer with 18 goals. The 39-year-old remains the frontrunner for the Golden Boot with five goals, a tally he will be looking to increase against eliminated Jordan, as he bids to make even more history by becoming the first player to score in seven successive World Cup games.
Messi could, however, potentially be set for a rest, given that Argentina are already through as group winners, with a last-32 fixture to look forward to against debutants Cape Verde.
Argentina, who are bidding to win their tenth game in a row in all competitions, are unbeaten in eight World Cup matches and can complete the group stages with three wins to nil for the first time since 1998. You’d fancy them to go on and do this given their superb form and the fact they’ve only conceded one goal in their last nine.
Jordan are already out following defeats to Austria and Algeria, however, they’ve had their moments on their World Cup debut – holding first-half leads in both games so far – and will draw confidence from Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina four years ago as they go in search of their first ever point(s).
Algeria vs Austria
- Algeria key stat: Are looking to beat a European country at the World Cup for the first time since their very first match (2-1 win against West Germany in 1982).
- Austria key stat: Das Team are looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time in 72 years.
Austria and Algeria face-off in Kansas City to decide who will finish second and third in Group J. Austria are currently in second on goal difference meaning they will remain there should they avoid defeat against Algeria, who themselves must win. The only caveat is whoever does finish second will play Spain in the last-32.
This will be the first meeting between the countries since the infamous 1982 group stages when Austria won 2-0, before losing 1-0 to West Germany in what has been labelled the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’ as the neighbours settled for a mutually suitable result to progress them both out of the group at the expense of an outraged Algeria. FIFA have since changed the rules so final group games are played at the same time.
Funnily enough, Algeria, who have only reached the knockout stages once (2014), are looking to beat a European country at the World Cup for the first time since their very first match which came at the aforementioned 1982 edition (2-1 against West Germany). They have since played eight games at the tournament against European opposition, losing five and drawing three.
Austria, in their first World Cup in 28 years, are looking to progress into the knockout stages for the first time since their second World Cup appearance back in 1954, when they finished third.
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