🇯🇴 Jordan vs 🇩🇿 Algeria

Jordan are at their first ever World Cup — a historic achievement for a nation that has been steadily improving in Asian football and finally broke through. First-timers at expanded tournaments are one of the genuinely good things about a 48-team competition.

They reached the 2023 Asian Cup final before losing to Qatar, which was proof the improvement was real rather than a fluke. That's valuable experience of high-pressure knockout football at exactly the right moment.

Jordan are in Group J with Argentina, Algeria and Austria. It's probably the toughest possible draw. Genuine expectations involve doing the nation proud rather than topping the group. Although there will be at least one game where they give Argentina a scare for about 25 minutes.

Musa Al-Taamari is their most creative player — the winger plays in the Middle East but has the technical quality to cause problems even at this level. He'll be the one to watch when Jordan have the ball.

Jordan's appearance is significant for Arab football in the broader region. Following Morocco's 2022 semi-final run, there's a growing belief across the Arab world that deep tournament runs are achievable. Jordan being here is part of that story.

Algeria are one of Africa's most historically successful nations — 2019 Africa Cup of Nations champions, with a long tradition of producing players who go on to stellar European careers. Not a team that needs an introduction.

Riyad Mahrez retired from international football in 2023, but several players from that golden generation remain, giving Algeria experience alongside younger talent coming through. The squad has more depth than just one name.

They're in Group J with Argentina, Austria and Jordan. The realistic target is qualifying in second place, which would represent a solid achievement given Argentina's presence. Beating Austria would be a statement result.

Algeria's squad has an interesting dual identity — many players were born in France and chose Algeria over the French system. This creates a roster with European club experience and international ambition that doesn't always get the attention it deserves.

Manager Djamel Belmadi built the 2019 AFCON-winning team and remains in charge. Consistency in management has given Algeria a stability that's helped them qualify for consecutive tournaments — not something every African nation manages.