Jordan vs Argentina Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
by The Stats Zone ·
Updated
Jordan have already been eliminated from FIFA World Cup 2026 as they now take on reigning world champions Argentina, who have already wrapped up top spot in Group J.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Jordan preview: Competitive but out
Jordan, playing at their first ever FIFA World Cup, have been competitive in their opening couple of matches in Group J but they have eventually been beaten by both Austria and then Algeria, making it impossible for them to qualify in their final game.
In their opener against the Austrians, Ali Olwan equalised for Jordan before an own goal and a penalty then undid them in the second half. Algeria then came from a goal down in the second half to run out 2-1 winners in another hard-fought encounter.
Argentina preview: Messi brilliance
Lionel Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick in his opening game at FIFA World Cup 2026 as Argentina ran out 3-0 winners against Algeria, with Messi equalling Miroslav Klose's record as the all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup football.
Messi then went two goals clear of Klose in his second game as he scored a brace against Austria as the Argentinians won by two goals to nil, with Messi even having time to miss an early penalty. Lionel Scaloni's side have eased into the knockout stages as they defend their world title.
Jordan team news: No issues
At the time of writing, Jordan have a fully-fit and available squad for this one. They may be tempted to rotate with little to play for but that seems unlikely.
A famous win, or even a draw, is still something they will fight for and so they will likely go strong with one potential change being Husam Abu Dahab dropping out in defence.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Abulaila; Nasib, Abualnadi, Al Arab; Haddad, Al Rawabdeh, Al Rashdan, Abu Taha; Al Tamari, Al Mardi; Olwan
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Argentina team news: Probable rotation
There is an expectation that Lionel Scaloni makes some changes here with Nico Paz and Julian Alvarez potentially starting ahead of the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Thiago Almada.
The Argentinians will also likely protect the carded Facundo Medina and Leandro Paredes, while Cristian Romero limped off against Austria. It has also been suggested that Lionel Messi will be rested from the start.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Palacios; Fernandez, Barco; Paz; Simeone, Alvarez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Romero (Injured)
Jordan’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Yazan Al Arab ($3.7m) – Defender
Ehsan Haddad ($3.5m) – Defender
Mousa Al-Tamari ($5.6m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Mousa Al-Tamari
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Ali Olwan
Free kicks: Musa Al-Taamari, Ali Olwan
Corners: Musa Al-Taamari, Mahmoud Al-Mardi
Argentina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Emiliano Martinez ($5.0m) – Goalkeeper
Lisandro Martinez ($4.6m) – Defender
Julian Alvarez ($8.6m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Julian Alvarez
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Julian Alvarez
Free kicks: Julian Alvarez
Corners: Valentin Barco, Nico Paz
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between the teams and Jordan’s first World Cup match against a South American side.
- Tournament debutants Jordan are aiming for a first positive result in a FIFA World Cup match after starting their campaign with successive defeats.
- By breaking the deadlock in the contest against Algeria, Jordan took the lead in a FIFA World Cup match for the first time.
- Argentina are unbeaten in their last eight matches at the FIFA World Cup (W6 D2).
- This is just the second time in 19 participations that Argentina have opened a FIFA World Cup campaign with back-to-back clean sheets. The previous time was 1998 when they went on to win all three group matches without conceding.
- A victory for Argentina would see them become only the third team to win 50 World Cup matches, with only Brazil and Germany having previously reached the landmark.
- Lionel Messi has opened the scoring in seven of Argentina’s last nine FIFA World Cup fixtures.
- Lionel Messi (2022-2026) has joined France’s Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil’s Jairzinho (1970) as the only three players to score in six consecutive FIFA World Cup matches. He could become the first to score in seven successive games.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Jordan vs Argentina prediction
Jordan have been competitive this summer and that is somewhat surprising and at least encouraging from a Jordanian perspective, after what was a woeful build-up which involved an apparent falling out between star man Musa Al Tamari and manager Jamal Sellami.
Argentina may take their foot off the gas here as they simply seek to make it into the Round of 32 unscathed in terms of injuries and suspensions but they will be expected to still run out comfortable winners.
Jordan haven't kept a clean sheet in 2026, conceding two or more in all of those games, while Argentina have scored two or more in their last eight games.
Jordan vs Argentina betting tip: Argentina to score two or more goals
