World Cup 2026 Group J final standings: Results and teams qualified for the round of 32
After an exciting finish in Group J, Algeria and Austria both joined holders Argentina in the World Cup round of 32.
Algeria and Austria each qualified in a dramatic finish on Saturday evening, as defending champions Argentina rounded off a perfect World Cup group stage.
What happened on Group J matchday three?
In a matchday three showdown in Kansas City, Algeria and Austria’s 3-3 draw saw both teams progress from Group J - but only after Sasa Kalajzdic had netted a last-gasp leveller for the Austrians.
Ralf Rangnick’s men were heading out when Riyad Mahrez scored for Algeria earlier in second-half stoppage time, giving the North Africans a 3-2 lead with 92 minutes on the clock. Had it stayed that way in Missouri, Algeria would have claimed Group J’s second automatic qualification berth, and Group G’s Iran - not the Austrians - would have gone through from third place.
But in the 96th minute, Kalajzdic headed past Oussama Benbot to ensure Austria leapfrogged Algeria into second on goal difference. Although the Algerians slipped out of the top two, their tally of four points means they took their place among the best eight third-place finishers, at Iran’s expense.
Before the heart-stopping denouement at Arrowhead Stadium, Algeria had twice pegged Austria back, goals by Mahrez and Rafik Belghali cancelling out efforts by Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer.
In Group J’s other matchday-three clash, Lionel Messi came off the bench to extend his World Cup scoring record, as Argentina made it three group-stage wins from three against already-out Jordan. After first-half goals by Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez, Jordan’s Musa Al-Taamari cut the Argentinians’ lead early in the second half in Arlington, Texas, prodding in Ehsan Haddad’s pinpoint low cross.
However, 20 minutes after replacing Martínez, Messi drilled home a free-kick to score his goal his sixth goal at this summer’s finals. It was the 19th of the 39-year-old’s World Cup career, stretching his lead at the top of the tournament’s all-time ranking to three.
Who will Argentina, Austria and Algeria play in the round of 32?
As Group J winners, Argentina take on the runners-up in Group H: the history-making debutants Cape Verde. Austria’s late equalizer means it is they, not Algeria, who face Spain, the top team from Group H. And the Algerians’ drop to third place actually gives them a slightly kinder last-32 draw - on paper, at least. Instead of playing the European champions, the Desert Warriors will meet Switzerland, a team ranked 13 places lower than the Spaniards.
- July 2, 3:00 p.m. ET: Spain vs Austria, Los Angeles
- July 2, 11:00 p.m. ET: Switzerland vs Algeria, Vancouver
- July 3, 6:00 p.m. ET: Argentina vs Cape Verde, Miami
Group J: results
Matchday one: June 16
- Argentina 3-0 Algeria
- Austria 3-1 Jordan
Matchday two: June 22
Matchday three: June 27
Group J: final standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 6 |
| Austria (Q) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Algeria (Q) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
| Jordan (E) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
Related stories
Algeria and Austria both progress after thrilling finish
Argentina's route to the final
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