World Cup Preview: Jordan VS Argentina - prediction, team news, lineups

[(Jordan) Strength]:
1. Al Rashdan scored for Jordan in the previous match. According to statistics, Al Rashdan has played 40 matches for Jordan, scoring 5 goals. In last season's league, he made 11 appearances for Qatar SC without scoring.
 

[(Jordan) Neutral]:
1. Jordan coach Sellami acknowledged after the match that the team's performance was better than in the first round. Despite the loss, the actual gap on the field was far less than the disparity in squad values. The core reason for the loss was a lack of focus on corner kick defense, conceding two goals from corner kicks. Inexperience in major tournaments is the root cause. As a debutant team in the World Cup, scoring in both group stage matches is already commendable.
2. Jordan began their World Cup qualification journey in 1986. After 11 rounds of World Cup qualifiers and 10 failed attempts, they finally secured their first World Cup ticket in June 2025. In the 2024 Asian Cup in Qatar, Jordan advanced to the final and finished as runners-up, stunning the world with their dark-horses performance. Now, after losing both group stage matches, their hopes of advancing are essentially dashed. Even facing Argentina in the final round, it will be difficult to turn the situation around. However, this World Cup journey is the best result of Jordan's 40 years of dedication and perseverance in football.
3. Although Jordan lost the previous match, they still scored a goal. According to statistics, Jordan are the first World Cup debutant team to score in both of their first two matches since Cote d'Ivoire in 2006 (who scored in their first three matches).
4. As a World Cup debutant, Jordan have suffered two consecutive defeats and become the first Asian team to be eliminated. However, the team's actions in the locker room have left a deep impression. After the loss to Algeria, Jordan cleaned the locker room spotlessly, arranged all items neatly, and left a thank-you note. Such a team deserves respect.
 

[(Jordan) Weakness]:
1. Jordan's total squad value is approximately 20 million euros. Only Musa Al Taamari plays in one of Europe's top five leagues, while the rest mostly play in Jordan's domestic league, with some in secondary leagues in West Asia and Southeast Asia. The team have many veteran players. The midfield is active in running and pressing but weak in carrying the ball forward and delivering threatening passes. The defensive line has slow turning speed and obvious weaknesses in aerial defense. After 60 minutes of intense play, the team's physical stamina drops significantly, exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
2. In the second round of the World Cup group stage, Jordan lost 1-2 to Algeria, suffering two consecutive defeats and being eliminated early. Jordan are the first Asian team to be eliminated in this World Cup and the fourth team overall after Haiti, Turkiye, and Tunisia.
3. Jordan face four major fatal weaknesses against Argentina: consecutive corner kick defensive lapses leading to goals, with Messi's free kicks and De Paul's crosses continuing to pressure the aerial defense; the midfield cannot withstand the pressing from Enzo and Mac Allister, leading to turnovers in the back and being besieged. The team's physical stamina drops significantly after 70 minutes, with insufficient defensive coverage, and the attack relies only on sporadic counterattacks, lacking midfield support, making it difficult to create sustained effective shots.
4. Jordan failed to cover the handicap in both group stage matches, falling short of expectations.
 

[(Argentina) Strength]:
1. Argentina have secured two consecutive group stage wins and guaranteed first place in Group J. In the final group stage match, Argentina will face Jordan. Argentina coach Scaloni will field a squad mainly composed of substitute players. However, media reports indicate that goalkeeper Damian Martinez and forward Messi may still play as key players.
2. In Argentina's match against Austria, Romero was substituted due to a knee issue. Media reports suggest Romero is feeling fine and has started some normal training. He will not play against Jordan, but the good news is that no additional medical examinations are needed for now.
3. Messi scored a brace in the previous round, setting a new World Cup all-time scoring record with 18 goals. In the match, Messi covered a distance of 7,904.8 meters, 1 kilometer more than his first game. According to statistics, Messi has scored 916 goals and provided 414 assists in 1,158 career matches, totaling 1,330 goal contributions. In the last World Cup, Messi scored 7 goals in 7 matches, leading Argentina to the championship. In this World Cup, Messi has already scored 5 goals in 2 matches.
4. In the second round of the World Cup group stage, Argentina defeated Austria 2-0, winning both of their first two matches. This is the first time since the 2014 World Cup that Argentina have started a single tournament with two consecutive wins.
5. Argentina have achieved nine consecutive wins across all competitions, matching the longest winning streak since November 2015 to June 2016, which was also nine consecutive wins.
6. Statistics show that Argentina are one of four teams to have kept clean sheets in both of their first two matches of the 2026 World Cup, along with Spain, Ghana, and Mexico. Argentina's goalkeeper Damian Martinez has faced only one shot on target in the first two matches, the lowest among all national teams.
7. Argentina secured a knockout stage spot with two consecutive wins, one round early. This is the 19th time Argentina have participated in the World Cup finals and the 14th time they have advanced from the group stage. Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Argentina have successfully passed the group stage in six consecutive tournaments.
8. Argentina's squad depth advantage is prominent, with most players playing in Europe's top leagues. The drop in strength after significant rotations is limited, and the substitute midfield and forward players possess both organizational and finishing abilities. The team have kept clean sheets in both rounds, with solid midfield interceptions and center-back positioning. Their set-piece and channel penetration tactics are effective against low-block defenses. Having secured top spot in the group with no pressure on points, they can flexibly rotate and train, with ample room for tactical adjustments.
 

[(Argentina) Neutral]:
1. Argentina have advanced early and secured top spot, facing the second-place team from Group H (Spain and Uruguay) in the Round of 16. If Portugal also finish top in Group K, Argentina and Portugal will be placed in the same quarter of the knockout bracket. If both teams continue to advance, Messi and Ronaldo will meet in the World Cup quarter-finals.
 

[Tips]:
Jordan suffered two consecutive defeats and were eliminated early. Although they scored in both rounds, creating highlights as a debutant team, their corner kick defense is notably weak, they lack experience in major tournaments, their physical stamina drops sharply after 70 minutes, and their midfield cannot withstand high-intensity pressing. They can only rely on sporadic counterattacks, which are insufficient to pose a threat.

Argentina have achieved nine consecutive wins across all competitions, winning both group stage matches without conceding a goal. Their goalkeeper's defensive performance is top-tier in the league, and they have already advanced from the group stage. The team have ample squad depth, maintaining stable strength even with rotations. Their set-piece and channel penetration tactics effectively exploit Jordan's weak aerial defense.

Jordan's multiple offensive and defensive shortcomings will be consistently targeted by Argentina. The significant gap in overall strength between the two sides means Argentina, even with moderate rotations, can secure this victory steadily.
 

[Recommended]:
Argentina (-1.5/2)