World Cup Preview: Group J
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now underway, we continue to preview each of the tournament's twelve groups through a Ligue 1 McDonald's lens, continuing with Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Iraq and Norway.
Argentina
FIFA Ranking: 1
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Five Ligue 1 McDonald's players made Lionel Scaloni's initial squad, with three of them currently at Marseille. Leonardo Balerdi, named captain at OM at the start of the season, was one of those to be included, however, he unfortunately was forced to withdraw due to injury. His partner in defence, Facundo Medina, has made the trip to North America, as has goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Lyon's Nicolas Tagliafico, a veteran for the national side, is once again involved, and on the opposite end of the scale, the inexperienced Valentin Barco will look to bolster his reputation. The Strasbourg midfielder forced his way into the set-up this season.
Tournament outlook:
Argentina go into this World Cup as the reigning champions. Naturally, therefore, they must be considered one of the favourites for the title once again. But age may count against them. Bar former PSG forward Angel Di Maria, this is more or less the same side that beat France in the final back in 2022. All of the players are four years older, and Lionel Messi is very much in the twilight of his career. He isn't the only player now in his mid-to-late thirties and, whilst you could say that experience could count in their favour, the lack of rejuvenation could be seen as a big weakness.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Lionel Messi
Messi, who many consider to be the greatest player of all time, arrived to much fanfare back in 2023. French football rejoiced, as did PSG, who believed that La Pulga was the missing piece in their quest to win the Champions League.
3 years since THAT Leo Messi free-kick in the 95th minute 🇦🇷💥 pic.twitter.com/MscfJskaOx
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 19, 2026
Whilst he did not succeed in bringing the 'Holy Grail' of club football to the Parc des Princes, he did wow spectators. His second and final season at PSG was particularly impressive. He would score 16 goals as well as register 16 assists in 32 games in Ligue 1 McDonald's. None were as memorable or as important as a last-gasp trademark free-kick against Lille (4-3). Not only did it help PSG to all three points, it ultimately proved vital in the title race. Les Parisiens edged Lens by just one point that season.
Algeria
FIFA Ranking: 28
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Historical links between France and North Africa ensure that there is a strong Algerian presence in Ligue 1 McDonald's. Five players from France's top flight have been included in their squad. From LOSC, there is Nabil Bentaleb and Aissa Mandi. From OM, there is Amine Gouiri; from Nice, Hicham Boudaoui; and from Paris FC, Samir Chergui.
Tournament outlook:
Les Fennecs have plenty of talent and a strong mix of youth and experience in their squad. During the recent AFCON, they reached the quarter-finals before a defeat to Nigeria. That reflects where they are, currently. They are a strong side but not at the pinnacle of African football. They have also been dealt a tough hand. There is, of course, Argentina, but Austria are touted as a dark horse. Some of their performances were excellent at Euro 2024.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Andy Delort
Delort has played everywhere. The journeyman forward, Corsican by birth, played jsut 15 times for Algeria. He has played for almost as many clubs (14), astonishingly. His peak was in the 2010s. He was at Tours prior to a move to Wigan Athletic. He would return to Ligue 1 McDonald's, going on to play for the likes of Toulouse, Montpellier, Nice, and Nantes.
He has made an impressive 268 appearances in the top flight, scoring 85 goals in that time. He also has a strong record in Ligue 2 BKT (92 appearances, 31 goals). Delort is still going, too. He is playing for Ajaccio in the lower reaches of French football, helping rebuild the club following bankruptcy. He ensured their promotion this season.
Austria
FIFA Ranking: 25
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Currently, the only Ligue 1 McDonald's player from Austria is Lens' Samson Baidoo, who, despite an excellent debut season at the Stade Bollaert, has not been included in the squad for the World Cup.
Tournament outlook:
Austria impressed at Euro 2024 in the Group Stages, notably holding France to a draw in the first game. But they then were knocked out by Turkiye in the Round of 16. In Ralf Rangnick, they have a respected manager who has built a strong system, despite a lack of superstar power. In the form of David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, and Marko Arnautovic, there is experience and continuity.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Kevin Danso
Whilst there were several Austrian's who racked up the appearances in Ligue 1 McDonald's in the 1950s (Wolfgang Matzky, Ernst Stojaspal, Fritz Kominek), one player who made an impact in recent times is Kevin Danso. The centre-back, now at Tottenham Hotspur, was part of that excellent Lens back-line; it is fitting that a compatriot in the form of Baidoo has replaced him.
Kevin Danso was back at Lens for the kick-off ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/VTCFTtSSxJ
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 10, 2026
Danso made 112 appearances in Ligue 1 McDonald's and was excellent in the season in which Les Sang et Or ran PSG so close for the title.
Jordan
FIFA Ranking: 63
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
There is only one Jordanian currently in Ligue 1 McDonald's, but it is the nation's star man, Mousa Al-Taamari. The forward currently plays for Rennes, having previously shone for Montpellier.
Tournament outlook:
There are teams ranked lower than Jordan (New Zealand, Haiti, Curacao, Ghana, Cape Verde, Bosnia and Herzegovina), but there is no doubting that the odds are stacked against them. They have been unlucky with the draw and not only must face the world champions, but also one of the best sides in Africa and an experienced side billed as a dark horse. Progression from the Group Stages seems unlikely.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Mousa Al-Taamari
Al-Taamari is the only Jordanian to have ever played in Ligue 1 McDonald's. He joined Montpellier back in 2023 and moved to Rennes back in the winter of 2025.
Mousa Al Tamari with the goal of the season?! 🇯🇴🤯 pic.twitter.com/tVT0VseE9C
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 4, 2026
Last season was his best in French football. He scored six league goals, and none were better than his spectacular volley against Lyon.
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>> Lionel Messi's time in Ligue 1 McDonald's
