FIFA World Cup GROUP J: Messi, Argentina seek rare world cup repeat

ARGENTINA I RANK: 3 I BEST RESULT: CHAMPIONS (1978, 1986, 2022)

Lionel Messi and Argentina hope to become the first repeat World Cup champion in six decades. La Albiceleste won the 2022 final on penalty kicks over France. No men’s team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 led by Pelé and in 1962, when Pelé missed most of the tournament because of an injury. A second World Cup title might elevate Messi in debates of whether he, Pelé or Diego Maradona is the greatest player in football history. Messi, who turns 39 two days after Argentina’s second game, could along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo become the first men to play in six World Cups. Lionel Scaloni, who became Argentina’s coach in 2018, hopes to become the second coach to win two World Cups after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938.

ALGERIA I RANK: 28 I


BEST RESULT: ROUND OF 16 (2014) A two-time African champion (1990 and 2019), Algeria are making their first World Cup ap- pearance since 2014, when they reached the second round and were knocked out by Germany in extra time. Algeria had eight wins, one loss and one draw in qualifying. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is captain at age 35 and with 38 international goals is second on his nation’s career scoring list behind Islam Slimani with 45.

AUSTRIA I RANK: 24 I

BEST RESULT: THIRD PLACE (1954) In the World Cup for the eighth time and first since 1998, Austria are seeking to advance past the first round for the first time since 1982. Marko Arnautovic turns 37 in April and is likely to be the oldest player on the roster. He is Austria’s career leader in goals (47) and appearances (132).

JORDAN I RANK: 63 I BEST RESULT: FIRST APPEARANCE

Reaching the World Cup for the first time, Jordan have never achieved much internation- al football success. Their best showings in the Asian Cup were runnerup in the 2023 edition and the quarterfinals in 2004 and 2011. Musa AlTaamari, who has 24 international goals, plays for Rennes in France and is among the few Jordanians with European clubs.