and Argentina hope to become the first repeat champion in six decades.
Their opponents in Group J have plans of their own. Algeria and Austria are back after long absences and Jordan is making its World Cup debut at the expanded 48-nation tournament.
A second World Cup title might elevate Messi in debates of whether he, or is the greatest player in soccer history. As of mid-April, Messi had not made a final commitment to playing.
La Albiceleste on penalty kicks over France. No men’s team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 led by 笔别濒茅 and in 1962, when 笔别濒茅 missed most of the tournament because of an injury.
Argentina
Three-time champion Argentina, ranked No. 3 in the world, opens against No. 28 Algeria on June 16, then plays Austria and Jordan in a group that likely should provide an easy glide to the knockout stages.
La Albiceleste 15 months ahead of the tournament with a victory over Brazil as Messi missed the match because of an adductor injury.
Nine of the starters were the same as in the World Cup final, with midfielders Thiago Almada and Leandro Paredes in place of Messi and 脕ngel Di Mar铆a, who retired from the national team in 2024 after helping with its second straight Copa America.
Among those starters, by the World Cup the group will include Nicol谩s Otamendi at 38, Nicol谩s Tagliafico at 33 and Rodrigo De Paul at 32.
Messi, who turns 39 two days after Argentina鈥檚 second game, could along with Portugal鈥檚 become the first men to play in six World Cups.
Messi already holds the record for most matches (26) and is tied for third in goals with Just Fontaine at 13, trailing only Miroslav Klose (16), Brazil鈥檚 Ronaldo (15) and Gerd M眉ller (14). Messi鈥檚 116 international goals heading into June are second to Cristiano Ronaldo鈥檚 143, and he led South American qualifying with eight goals.
, who became Argentina’s coach in 2018, hopes to become the second coach to win two World Cups after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938.
Algeria
A two-time African champion with titles in 1990 and 2019, Algeria is making its , when it reached the second round and was knocked out by Germany in extra time.
Algeria had eight wins, one loss and one draw in qualifying. Former Manchester City winger is captain at age 35 and with 38 international goals is second on his nation’s career scoring list behind Islam Slimani with 45.
Other top players include left back Rayan A茂t-Nouri and defender Ramy Bensebaini.
Coach led Switzerland’s national team from 2014 to 2021.
Austria
In the World Cup for the eighth time and first since 1998, is seeking to advance past the first round for the first since since 1982.
Marko Arnautovi膰 turns 37 in April and is likely to be the oldest player on the roster. He is Austria’s career leader in goals (47) and appearances (132). Captain David Alaba, a defender who turns 34 during the tournament, is a veteran of more than 120 Champions League matches and four European club titles.
Other key players include midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer.
Coach after spells with Manchester United, Hoffenheim, Schalke and Stuttgart and Leipzig.
Jordan
Reaching the World Cup for the first time, Jordan has never achieved much international soccer success. Its best showings in the Asian Cup were and the quarterfinals in 2004 and 2011.
Musa Al-Taamari, who has 24 international goals, plays for Rennes in France and is among the few Jordanians with European clubs. Ibrahim Sabra, another attacker, is with Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia.
A former midfielder for Morocco, Jamal Sellami took over as Jordan’s coach in 2024.
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