Jordan vs Argentina
Saturday night football sees Group J leaders Argentina take on basement boys Jordan as the group stages come to a close, with these two teams heading in opposite directions.
After opening up their World Cup 2026 defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria, Argentina beat Austria 2-0 and Lionel Scaloni’s team are looking forward to a Round of 32 clash against the second-placed team in Group H, currently Uruguay, though that group is far from settled.
Jamal Sellami’s Jordan, first-time qualifiers, have acquitted themselves well, competitive in both games, falling 3-1 to Austria and then losing by the odd goal in three to Algeria. The Chivalrous Ones aren’t out, but it would be a seismic shock were they to get the win which will keep their hopes alive.
Talking Points
Messi keen to start again for Argentina
Scaloni will surely be considering changes to his line-up for this third group game with a potential meeting with South American rivals and two-time World Champions Uruguay in view. But Lionel Messi might well play some part as the magician has his eye on the Golden Boot on his last World Cup. With five goals from his first two games Messi leads the race, with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe both on four goals, so a chance against Jordan is surely too good to miss and the 39-year-old, who celebrated his birthday yesterday will be ready to go again.
I can’t imagine Scaloni being unhappy to keep his captain match sharp with a nice rest period before the knockout action starts.
Elsewhere, Scaloni will make changes, one forced as centre back Cristian Romero was substituted against Austria, struggling with a knee strain and Nicolas Otamendi, who replaced him is likely to start against Jordan. And the manager will take the opportunity to give some key squad players some games time and I expect Julian Alvarez to be involved. The Atletico Madrid striker has a superb season with Los Rojiblancos and has scored 25 goals in 66 games since his arrival from Manchester City. A quick and intelligent striker Alvarez will be an asset for Argentina as the tournament unfolds.
The World Cup 2026 betting odds have Scaloni’s team as one of the leading three, alongside France and Spain while Argentina’s South American rivals Brazil have hit their stride as they head to the knockouts. It’s certainly hotting up in Canada, Mexico and the USA… and Messi and co will be at the centre of the action.
Jordan hopes for a special finish
Anything other than an Argentina win on Saturday would be such big World Cup 2026 news it would resonate across the planet, and it certainly looks like it will be the climax of the Chivalrous Ones’ tournament.
Sellami is understandably proud of his nation’s performance in qualifying, and how they have carried themselves among the world elite, saying: “This achievement comes after years of hard work from players and the Jordan FA. This historic qualification is for all the people who believed in us.”
After a number of near misses Jordan became one of four new entrants at the 2026 World Cup, inspired by captain and creative leader Musa Al-Taamari, the first Jordanian player to grace one of Europe’s top five leagues. After two successful seasons at Montpellier in Ligue 1, the 29 year old moved to Rennes last summer. A left-footed right winger Al-Taamari likes to cut in and take a shot, with 24 goals from 90 internationals, and he can provide ammunition too for leading scorer Ali Olwan, who has 30 goals in 68 games.
FC Seoul defender Yazan Al-Arab marshals the defence and he will have his work cut out to keep the likes of Messi and Alvarez at bay; but like the rest of the Jordan team, he will leave nothing on the pitch after battling toe to toe with the reigning World Champions.
History
While Jordan are the new boys, Argentina have been at the World Cup finals 19 times, winning the title in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Since qualifying for the World Cup, the Chivalrous Ones have struggled to find any form, drawing two matches in March before losing the last four; and they meet a team which stormed through the CONMEBOL qualifiers and have won their past six games, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one.
Betting Tip
Jordan are at SBOTOP odds of 15.00 to spring the biggest surprise of the tournament so far, with the draw at 7.50 and Argentina priced at 1.17. I’d love to see the minnows put up another proud showing and leave on a high.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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