Jordan v Argentina prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group J

Jordan face the reigning world champions Argentina in the final fixture of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a match that has no bearing on the standings but carries enormous personal significance for every player on the Jordanian side. For a nation making its first-ever World Cup appearance, this is history regardless of the scoreline.

Argentina are already through as group winners, having beaten Algeria 3-0 and Austria 2-0 without conceding a single goal. Lionel Messi scored all five of those goals, including a brace against Austria that made him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose. The two-time Ballon d'Or record-holder will not start this one.

Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Friday that Messi will begin from the substitutes' bench. "Leo will be a substitute tomorrow, to play later," Scaloni said. "Jordan is a good opponent, and we're not taking anything for granted." Argentina's next fixture is a Round of 32 tie against Cape Verde, the runners-up of Group H, in Miami on 3 July, and keeping their squad fresh is the clear priority.

Jordan, meanwhile, head into this game having been eliminated after back-to-back defeats: 3-1 to Austria on matchday one and 2-1 to Algeria on matchday two. Head coach Jamal Sellami, at his first World Cup and only the fourth Moroccan to manage at the finals, has promised to retain the team's "basic structure" while making adjustments to provide "more balance" in midfield. Sellami said he hopes the national team can leave the tournament having made "a good impression of Jordanian football". A result against the world champions would do exactly that.

Argentina have won each of their last ten games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 27-1, keeping two consecutive clean sheets in this World Cup. Jordan have lost both group games, conceding five goals in the process, three of which came from corners, exposing an aerial vulnerability that Argentina's set-piece takers will be aware of. Jordan's xG against across their two World Cup matches stands at 1.79 per game; Argentina's xG for is 1.92 per game even with a heavily rotated squad expected here.

Jordan have averaged just 32.5% possession in this tournament, generating an average of 9.5 shots and four on target per match. They did score in both group games, Ali Olwan and Nizar Al-Rashdan on the scoresheet, so they are not without threat on the counter. But the gulf in quality, even against a rotated Argentina eleven, is considerable.

Scaloni has signalled wholesale changes. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is expected to be the only outfield regular to keep his place, with the likes of Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentin Barco and Nico Paz set to start in midfield. Julian Alvarez, building back from an ankle issue, and Nico Gonzalez are expected to lead the attack in Messi's absence. Cristian Romero is a doubt after picking up a knock against Austria, though with rotation planned across the board, Scaloni has no need to take risks. "The idea is for the team to play in the same way," Scaloni said. "I think that when there's an opportunity, there are great players who also deserve to come in."

Jordan v Argentina kicks off at 03:00 BST on Sunday, 28 June 2026 (22:00 local time in Arlington on Saturday, 27 June). The match is live on BBC One in the UK, with free streaming available via BBC iPlayer. All 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup are free-to-air in the UK across BBC and ITV.