Jordan vs Argentina
Argentina have already won Group J and Jordan are already out, so the table is settled before kick-off. The only question that matters in Arlington is whether Lionel Messi starts what could be the last World Cup group game of his career. Five goals, the Golden Boot lead and the record books behind him — our prediction, verified form, best bets and goalscorer tips for the AT&T Stadium nightcap.
Updated 25 June 2026 · Ryan Edwards · World Cup 2026 Hub
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Jordan vs Argentina: A Settled Group, One Open Question
There is no jeopardy left in this fixture. Argentina have won Group J with a game to spare — a 3-0 opening dismantling of Algeria and a controlled 2-0 win over Austria gave them six points, top spot and a Round of 32 place. Jordan, at their first World Cup, are already eliminated after a 3-1 defeat to Austria and a 2-1 loss to Algeria left them pointless. The table is set before a ball is kicked in Arlington.
That removes the usual stakes but adds a different kind of intrigue. The man at the centre of it is Lionel Messi. He has scored all five of Argentina’s goals so far, leads the Golden Boot race outright, and at 38 is widely expected to be playing his last World Cup. Whether Lionel Scaloni hands him 90 minutes against a beaten side, or wraps him in cotton wool for the knockouts, is the only real talking point — and it shapes every market on the card.
For Jordan, the tournament is already a milestone reached. Qualifying for a maiden World Cup was the achievement; competing with Austria and Algeria for an hour in each game showed the gap to the elite without humiliation. A dead rubber against the holders is a free hit — nothing to lose, a global stage, and the chance to test themselves against the best player of his generation.
From a betting angle, the interest is almost entirely in how heavily Scaloni rotates and whether Messi features. A full-strength Argentina would be expected to win comfortably; a heavily changed side against organised opponents narrows the margin. We cover the implications across the result, goals and goalscorer markets below, and you can track the wider picture in our World Cup betting tips.
Road to Matchday 3 — Verified Results
| Date | Fixture | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun | Argentina 3–0 Algeria | Argentina W |
| 16 Jun | Austria 3–1 Jordan | Austria W |
| 22 Jun | Argentina 2–0 Austria | Argentina W |
| 22 Jun | Jordan 1–2 Algeria | Algeria W |
Group J Standings
| # | Team | P | W | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 2 | 2 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | Austria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Algeria | 2 | 1 | −2 | 3 |
| 4 | Jordan | 2 | 0 | −3 | 0 |
Argentina are confirmed group winners. Second place is the live battle: Austria and Algeria are level on three points, with Austria ahead on goal difference, and they meet head-to-head in the simultaneous tie. For that decider, see our Algeria vs Austria preview — the result there, plus best third-placed maths, settles who joins Argentina in the knockouts.
What Each Side Is Playing For
Argentina have nothing left to win in the table. Their incentive is rhythm, fitness and Golden Boot momentum for Messi, balanced against the risk of injury or suspension before the Round of 32. Expect Scaloni to weigh sharpness against preservation — the squad players who have not started will want minutes, and the manager will want his key men fresh.
Jordan play purely for pride and the experience. Already out, they can attack without the weight of a result hanging on it. A goal against the world champions, or a respectable scoreline, would cap a historic first World Cup. That freedom is worth noting for the both-teams-to-score and Jordan-supremacy markets, even against the odds.
Will Messi Start? The Only Real Subplot
Lionel Messi arrives with five goals from two games — a hat-trick against Algeria, a brace against Austria — and a clear lead in the Golden Boot race. He has also written himself further into the record books, moving past Miroslav Klose’s tally to stand alone as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. At what is very likely his final World Cup, every appearance carries weight.
The dilemma for Scaloni is real. With top spot secured, there is a strong argument to rest Messi and protect him for the knockout rounds. Equally, a beaten Jordan side is exactly the kind of opponent against which a striker pads his tally — and the Golden Boot may matter to a player chasing the few individual honours that have eluded him. A start, even a 60-minute one, would make him the headline goalscorer pick. A place on the bench changes the entire card.
This is the pivot point for the whole preview. Hold any Messi goalscorer bet until the team news lands roughly an hour before kick-off. For the season-long market, see our Golden Boot odds, and our outright winner page tracks where Argentina sit in the holders’ market.
Predicted Line-Ups
Jordan are likely to keep their first-choice spine and play with freedom now elimination is confirmed. Al-Taamari is their main threat on the break. Names are indicative — confirm the team sheet on the day.
Expect rotation. Scaloni may rest Messi from the start and hand fringe men minutes, with Julián Álvarez leading the line. Messi could still appear from the bench. This XI assumes a changed side — adjust your bets when the team news confirms it.
Line-ups are projected and will firm up nearer kick-off — confirm the team news before backing any goalscorer market, especially given the rotation question around Messi.
Our Prediction
Even a rotated Argentina carry too much quality for an eliminated Jordan. We expect Scaloni to share minutes, but the strength in depth still tells over 90 minutes. Argentina win comfortably without needing their best; a clean sheet and a 2.5-plus goals night look the soundest reads. If Messi starts, he is the obvious goalscorer angle.
Jordan vs Argentina Odds
Argentina are heavy favourites, and rotation is the only thing keeping the price honest. The value is not in the match result — it is in the handicap, goals and goalscorer markets, all of which swing on the team news. Prices below are indicative; confirm the live number with your bookmaker before staking.
| Market | Selection | Indicative |
|---|---|---|
| Match result | Argentina win | 1/6 |
| Match result | Draw | 11/2 |
| Match result | Jordan win | 14/1 |
| Goals | Over 2.5 goals | 8/11 |
| Handicap | Argentina −1.5 | 4/6 |
| Goals | Argentina clean sheet | 8/13 |
| Scorer | Messi anytime (if starts) | 5/6 |
| Scorer | Julián Álvarez anytime | 5/4 |
Best Bets — Jordan vs Argentina
The straight win is too short to back at 1/6. The handicap is where the value sits: even a rotated Argentina should have the class to win by two or more against a side that has conceded in both games. The cleanest read on the card.
Jordan have scored once in two games and now face the holders with nothing on the line. Even a changed back line in front of Emiliano Martínez should keep this tight at the back. A solid building block for a multi.
Five goals in two games and chasing the Golden Boot. If the team news confirms Messi starts, he is the standout goalscorer pick against a beaten side. Do not bet this until the line-up drops — a place on the bench kills the price.
The whole card hinges on how many changes Scaloni makes. A near-full XI shortens the handicap and goals lines; wholesale changes lengthen them. Check the team sheet roughly an hour before kick-off before committing.
Bet Builder Tip
| Leg | Selection | Indicative |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Argentina to win | 1/6 |
| Goals | Over 2.5 goals | 8/11 |
| Goals | Argentina clean sheet | 8/13 |
| Scorer | Julián Álvarez to score | 5/4 |
Four legs built around the likeliest shape of the night: a comfortable Argentina win, goals at one end, and a clean sheet at the other. Swap Álvarez for Messi if the team news confirms he starts. For more multi ideas, see our bet builder tips and accumulator tips.
Use a welcome free bet on Argentina −1.5 or a Messi anytime scorer — full list on our offers page.
Where to Watch Jordan vs Argentina
Jordan vs Argentina is expected to be shown live in the UK on the BBC or ITV, with a free stream on iPlayer or ITVX depending on the broadcaster split — confirm the channel against the published TV listings on the day. Kick-off is 3am BST on Sunday 28 June 2026 (10pm ET on Saturday 27 June) at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. Given the late UK start time, coverage and any highlights packages may differ from the live broadcaster, so check listings before you tune in.
Head-to-Head & Key Numbers
| Stat | Jordan | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Group J record | L2 · 0 pts | W2 · 6 pts |
| Goal difference | −3 | +5 |
| Goals scored | 2 | 5 |
| Top scorer | — | Messi 5 |
| Group status | Eliminated | Won group |
World Cup 2026 — Final Group Games
Every remaining group-stage decider, with our prediction, best bets and goalscorer tips for each. Tap any tie for the full preview.
| Group | Fixture | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| I | Senegal v Iraq | Tips → |
| H | Uruguay v Spain | Tips → |
| H | Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia | Tips → |
| G | Egypt v Iran | Tips → |
| G | New Zealand v Belgium | Tips → |
| L | Panama v England | Tips → |
| L | Croatia v Ghana | Tips → |
| K | Colombia v Portugal | Tips → |
| K | DR Congo v Uzbekistan | Tips → |
| J | Algeria v Austria | Tips → |
| J | Jordan v Argentina | Jordan v Argentina |
More World Cup 2026 Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Jordan vs Argentina?
Jordan vs Argentina kicks off at 3am BST on Sunday 28 June 2026 (10pm ET on Saturday 27 June) at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.
What channel is Jordan vs Argentina on in the UK?
It is expected to be shown live and free on the BBC or ITV, with a stream on iPlayer or ITVX. Given the late kick-off, confirm the broadcaster against the published listings on the day.
Have Argentina and Jordan already qualified or gone out?
Argentina have won Group J with six points and are through to the Round of 32. Jordan are eliminated after losing both opening games. The result here does not change either side’s group position.
Will Lionel Messi play against Jordan?
It is not guaranteed. With top spot already secured, Lionel Scaloni may rest Messi for the knockouts. He could start, appear from the bench, or be left out entirely — wait for the confirmed team news before backing any Messi goalscorer market.
What is our Jordan vs Argentina prediction?
We predict a 3-0 Argentina win. Even a rotated side should have too much quality for an eliminated Jordan. The Argentina −1.5 handicap and a clean sheet are our headline bets, with Messi the obvious goalscorer pick if he starts.
