Algeria and Jordan Face Elimination in Crucial World Cup Group J Clash

Both Algeria and Jordan will take the field at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Monday night knowing that a loss could end their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns. The Group J match comes after both sides suffered heavy defeats in their opening fixtures, leaving them desperate for a positive result to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Jordan, making its World Cup debut, fell 3-1 to Austria after a tight contest that saw an own goal by defender Yazan Al-Arab and a late penalty tip the scales for the European side. Despite matching Austria in shots (11 apiece), Jordan's shot quality was notably low, with an average of 0.05 expected goals per shot — about half the tournament average. The team has not won a match since December 15 and has lost four of its last five games.

Algeria, competing in its first World Cup since 2014, faced an even sterner test against defending champions Argentina, losing 3-0 as Lionel Messi recorded a hat trick. While Algeria out-possessed Argentina 53% to 47%, they managed only three shots from inside the penalty area and failed to register a single shot on target. However, Algeria's recent form against strong opponents — including a goalless draw with Uruguay in March and a victory over the Netherlands in a pre-tournament friendly — suggests they have the capacity to bounce back.

Analysts favor Algeria to win, citing superior individual talent and the potential return of key players like striker Mohamed Amoura, who scored 10 goals in World Cup qualifying. Jordan's defense has struggled, conceding at least two goals in each of its last five matches. Sports betting markets list Algeria as a -185 favorite on the moneyline, while Jordan is a +500 underdog; the odds reflect an expectation of a low-scoring affair with an over/under of 2.5 goals.

Both teams will be monitoring other Group J results — particularly the Argentina-Austria match — to gauge their path to advancement. A defeat for either side on Monday could result in elimination depending on those outcomes.