10/06/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP

GROUP J Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan H OLDERS Argentina arrive at the World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title. Only two teams – Italy in 1934

Argentina seek to emulate Italy and Brazil as back-to-back champions

DRIPPING talent and forged by success, Argentina aim to become the first men’s team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 and the only nation to do so entirely outside their own region. Lionel Scaloni’s men have kept the core of the squad that won at Qatar 2022, went on to retain the Copa America in 2024 and then topped South America’s qualifying group with ease. Preparations have not been ideal, though. Since Qatar, they have not faced European opponents. A planned Finalissima game against Spain was cancelled due to the Iran war with the gap filled by modest opponents Mauritania and Zambia. Furthermore, captain Lionel Messi, who turns 39 this month, may retain match-turning capacity and elder-statesman influence but no longer has the stamina and speed that made him such a driving force. And as illustrated in Qatar – including

not just the poster boy for MLS, he’s a core component of its functionality right now,” said Florit, who is also Chief Scout for US side Phoenix Rising. “And topping their group would mean a round of-32 game in Miami – Messi’s back garden for the past few seasons. “That’ll most likely be against Uruguay, who beat Argentina in La Bombonera during qualifying, or Spain, who have Messi’s heir to the Barcelona throne (Lamine Yamal). The location could prove a vital, convenient edge for Scaloni’s men.” Argentine great Daniel Bertoni has warned that their chances will be undermined if coach Scaloni relies too much on the players who triumphed four years ago. “I think Argentina is a candidate (for the title), given our record of reaching the final six times and winning three of them,” said 71-year-old Bertoni. “But if we believe we will be champions again due to our name, and on what we have accomplished (in the past), that is a mistake. “The thing that can really kill Argentina, is the coach relying too much on the players who won them the crown four years ago.” Bertoni, who scored in Argentina’s 3-1 win over the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final in Buenos Aires and was part of the squad four years later that exited in the captain with the expectation he will have recovered from the hamstring issue that sparked his request to leave the pitch during his side Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer match with Philadelphia. “He is still a pivotal player,” said Bertoni. “But he is close to 40 years old (he will be 39 on June 24) and you have to see how he is physically when he turns up. “He is no longer playing at the top level club wise and also he will miss (Angel) Di Maria, who after Messi, was crucial at the 2022 World Cup.” second round, is also worried about Messi’s fitness. He has been named

conductor of the orchestra if fit enough to start, a potential impact substitute if not. If playing, Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister offer stability while Enzo Fernandez adds bite. At the back, Emiliano Martinez is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In front of him, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez and Nahuel Molina bring vast experience even if not all arrive in peak club form. Argentine have faced some criticism over a recent lack of testing opposition. Their last five opponents stretching back to October also included

and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962 – have won back-to-back World Cup crowns, underscoring the difficulty of the task facing Lionel Messi and his teammates. Yet while history suggests the odds are stacked against the 2022 champions, there are grounds for believing that Argentina are more than capable of completing a rare double. Coach Lionel Scaloni has retained the core of the squad that helped carry Argentina to the title in Qatar, with the 38-year-old Messi likely returning to captain the team in what will be a record sixth World Cup appearance. The Argentines cruised through South American qualifiers with ease, losing only four of their 18 matches and finishing nine points clear of second-placed Ecuador. That pedigree is likely to easily see them through a Group J that includes Algeria, Austria and Jordan. The acid test though will come deeper in the tournament when Argentina run into elite European opposition. Scaloni’s side, who open their tournament against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17 (9am Malaysian time), have not played a single game against a major European team since defeating France in the 2022 final. Argentina’s biggest Group J threat could well come from Algeria, who are back at the World Cup for the first time since the 2014 finals in Brazil, where they reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Belgium. The Algerians eased through African qualifiers, topping their group to finish seven points clear of second-placed Uganda. Veteran former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez will captain the side, with the fast and skilful VfL Wolfsburg striker Mohamed Amoura providing the main goal threat. Algeria’s first-round campaign also gives them a chance to settle a longstanding score against Group J rivals Austria, 44 years after the two nations met in the group stage at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Algeria defeated West Germany and Chile in the group stage but were eliminated after West Germany defeated the Austrians 1-0 in a mutually beneficial result that sent both European teams through to the second round. The match, known as “The Disgrace of Gijon”, prompted Fifa to The Austrians, who are coached by German veteran Ralf Rangnick and captained by Real Madrid’s David Alaba, return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after qualifying directly ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Asian minnows Jordan round out the group, making their first ever appearance at a World Cup after finishing second behind South Korea in Asian qualifying. play all final group games simultaneously at future tournaments.

Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Angola, with Honduras and Iceland lined up for friendlies in June. Scaloni’s record as Argentina’s all-time most decorated manager – two Copa Americas (2021 and 2024), a World

in the wildly brilliant 3-3 draw in the final with France before penalties – Argentina’s defence can be vulnerable. Other favourites such as Spain, France

and Brazil may relish testing a rearguard with a few more

Cup and a Finalissima (2022) – gives him credit in the bank. His message is clear: “The World Cup that we won is in the past.” South American football expert Jordan Florit said Messi’s US connection could be vital. “I don’t think

years in their collective legs. Should Argentina triumph again, they would be only the third country to win back-to-back World Cups after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962). Doing so outside their own South American region would be unprecedented. Argentina kick off against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17 before facing Austria and Jordan in what looks, on paper, a relatively comfortable Group J for them. Scaloni will again have at his disposal the flair and clinical finishing of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez in attack. In midfield, Messi will again be the

Lionel Messi

this World Cup could have been the same without Messi in tow. He’s

Algeria hope to turn talent into results

ALGERIA return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 carrying the familiar mix of promise, pressure and unpredictability that has long defined one of Africa’s most gifted footballing nations. Drawn in Group J alongside holders Argentina, Austria and tournament debutants Jordan, the Desert Foxes face a stern test of whether their gifted squad can finally deliver on the biggest stage. The years since Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph have brought more frustration than fulfilment. Failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a dramatic playoff defeat

growing sense of long-term promise

team’s creative focal point. The former Manchester City winger, now playing in Saudi Arabia, still dictates Algeria’s rhythm with his composure and technical quality, but the side are increasingly looking to a younger generation to ease the burden. Wolfsburg striker Mohamed Amoura has emerged as one of Algeria’s main attacking threats, offering pace and directness alongside Mahrez’s craft. Manchester City

mould the side’s attacking talent into a cohesive unit, while defensive inconsistency has repeatedly undermined their progress in major tournaments. A goalkeeping crisis has added to the concerns. Anthony Mandrea has been ruled out, while Luca Zidane and Melvin Mastil have both been called up despite injury problems, prompting Algeria to turn to Oussama Benbot despite his recent international retirement. Benbot stepped away from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Nations Cup in Morocco earlier this year, but the USM Alger goalkeeper has been recalled to the squad. His reputation has risen after helping his club to win the African Confederation Cup with a shootout victory over Egypt’s Zamalek in May. Riyad Mahrez

around the squad. Yet uncertainty continues to

shadow Algeria.

Coach

Vladimir Petkovic has

struggled at times to

defender Rayan Ait Nouri

by Cameroon still lingers, while the 2025 Nations Cup ended in letdown despite a perfect group-stage campaign.

brings energy and attacking thrust from left back, while young winger Adil Boulbina has added to the

Algeria looked among

the favourites before a quarterfinal loss to Nigeria revived doubts over their ability to deliver in decisive moments. Captain Riyad Mahrez remains the