Jordan
World Cup debutants Jordan are having the time of their lives at the 2026 World Cup having qualified through the AFC Route. They have been handed a tough group with Argentina, Austria & Algeria much higher in the FIFA World Rankings
Jordan were very competitive against Austria on Matchday 1, they fell behind early but did equalise just after half-time through Ali Olwan, but 2 goals in the final 15 minutes through Yazan Al-Arab (OG) & Marko Arnautovic condenmed them to a 1-3 defeat.
Again on Matchday 2 they were ultra competitive and actually took the lead against Algeria through Nizar Al Rashdan but once again they failed to hold on and once again two late goals saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat and eliminated from the Tournament.
Injuries & Team News
Head coach Jamal Sellami has reported that he has a fully fit squad to face the World Champions in Texas. He is expected to name a similar side that narrowly lost to Algeria.
History Maker Ali Olwan who scored the Persians first ever World Cup goal vs Austria is again expected to start in attack and he is just one goal shy of levelling Hamza Al-Dardour on 31 International Goals for Jordan.
Musa Al-Taamari and captain Ihsan Haddad are both set to earn their 95th international caps in attack and at right wing-back respectively, while Yazan Al-Arab, Abdallah Nasib and Husam Abu Dahab could all retain their starting spots at centre-back.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-2 Algeria |
D D L L L L
|
Predicted Line-Up
Jordan possible starting lineup:
Abulaila; Al-Arab, Nasib, Abu Dahab; Haddad, Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh, Abu Taha; Al-Tamari, Al-Mardi; Olwan
Argentina
Reigning world champions Argentina breezed through CONMEBO Qualification winning the league stage by a clear 9 points from Ecuador in second. They came into the Tournament having played some friendlies against lesser International nations fearing they might be underdone.
Those fears were quickly brushed away on Matchday 1 when we saw a masterclass from Lionel Messi against Algeria. The North Americans had no answer to the 39 year old as he helped himself to a hat-trick in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Matchday 2 was just as straight forward, many had predicted Austria would be a good match up for the South Americans but they had no answer and the result was never in doubt from the moment Messi gave them a 38th min lead. He went on to add a second in injury time to seal a 2-0 win.
Injuries & Team News
Nicolas Otamendi could make a return to the starting team in place of Cristian Romero, the Tottenham captain suffered a knee injury in the 2-0 victory over Austria on Matchday 2.
With Qualification & Top Spot already assured Lionel Scaloni could make wholesale changes to his team. Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Tagliafico and Exequiel Palacios could all earn a first start.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-0 vs Austria | W W W W W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Argentina possible starting lineup:
E. Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Martinez, Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios, Almada; Messi, L. Martinez
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Win | 18/1 – (19.00) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 6/1 – (7.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Argentina Win | 1/6 – (1.15) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Jordan 0-3 Argentina
This does not look competitive at all and i honestly think this game will be all about trying to get Lionel Messi further ahead at the top of the scoring charts. Argentina by plenty.