The final group to conclude its fixtures at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was Group J, where Argentina finished top of the standings with a perfect record. Austria and Algeria also secured qualification for the knockout stage.
Already assured of first place, Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 at Dallas Stadium to complete the group stage with three victories from three matches.
With Lionel Messi starting on the bench, Giovani Lo Celso thought he had opened the scoring in the seventh minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Lo Celso eventually broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a superb free kick before Lautaro Martínez doubled Argentina's lead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute.
Jordan pulled one back in the 55th minute through Mousa Al-Taamari, who scored a historic goal against the reigning world champions. Messi entered the match in the 60th minute and capped the victory with a magnificent free kick in the 80th minute, taking his tournament tally to six goals.
Meanwhile, Austria and Algeria played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Kansas City in the other decisive Group J fixture.
Austria took the lead in the 28th minute through Marko Arnautović after a closely contested opening. Algeria equalized in bizarre fashion just before halftime when the ball struck the corner flag during the build-up before Rafik Belghali smashed it into the roof of the net.
Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's advantage with a stunning long-range strike in the 55th minute, but Riyad Mahrez leveled again just five minutes later. The dramatic finale saw Mahrez put Algeria ahead in the fourth minute of stoppage time, only for Saša Kalajdžić to rescue a point for Austria with an equalizer two minutes later.
Argentina finished as group winners with a perfect nine points, while Austria edged Algeria to second place on goal difference. Jordan exited the tournament without earning a point.
