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04/16 05:00 CDT 3-time World Cup champion Argentina starts title defense vs. Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J 3-time World Cup champion Argentina starts title defense vs. Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J By The Associated Press Lionel Messi and Argentina hope to become the first repeat World Cup champion in six decades. Their opponents in Group J have plans of their own. Algeria and Austria are back after long absences and Jordan is making its World Cup debut at the expanded 48-nation tournament. A second World Cup title might elevate Messi in debates of whether he, Pel or Diego Maradona is the greatest player in soccer history. As of mid-April, Messi had not made a final commitment to playing. La Albiceleste won the 2022 final on penalty kicks over France. No men's team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 led by Pel and in 1962, when Pel missed most of the tournament because of an injury.

Argentina Three-time champion Argentina, ranked No. 3 in the world, opens against No. 28 Algeria on June 16, then plays Austria and Jordan in a group that likely should provide an easy glide to the knockout stages. La Albiceleste clinched its World Cup berth 15 months ahead of the tournament with a victory over Brazil as Messi missed the match because of an adductor injury. Nine of the starters were the same as in the World Cup final, with midfielders Thiago Almada and Leandro Paredes in place of Messi and Angel Di Mara, who retired from the national team in 2024 after helping with its second straight Copa America. Among those starters, by the World Cup the group will include Nicols Otamendi at 38, Nicols Tagliafico at 33 and Rodrigo De Paul at 32. Messi, who turns 39 two days after Argentina's second game, could along with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo become the first men to play in six World Cups. Messi already holds the record for most matches (26) and is tied for third in goals with Just Fontaine at 13, trailing only Miroslav Klose (16), Brazil's Ronaldo (15) and Gerd Mller (14). Messi's 116 international goals heading into June are second to Cristiano Ronaldo's 143, and he led South American qualifying with eight goals. Lionel Scaloni, who became Argentina's coach in 2018, hopes to become the second coach to win two World Cups after Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938.

Algeria A two-time African champion with titles in 1990 and 2019, Algeria is making its first World Cup appearance since 2014, when it reached the second round and was knocked out by Germany in extra time. Algeria had eight wins, one loss and one draw in qualifying. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is captain at age 35 and with 38 international goals is second on his nation's career scoring list behind Islam Slimani with 45. Other top players include left back Rayan At-Nouri and defender Ramy Bensebaini. Coach Vladimir Petkovic led Switzerland's national team from 2014 to 2021.

Austria In the World Cup for the eighth time and first since 1998, Austria is seeking to advance past the first round for the first since since 1982. Marko Arnautovic turns 37 in April and is likely to be the oldest player on the roster. He is Austria's career leader in goals (47) and appearances (132). Captain David Alaba, a defender who turns 34 during the tournament, is a veteran of more than 120 Champions League matches and four European club titles. Other key players include midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer. Coach Ralf Rangnick took over in 2022 after spells with Manchester United, Hoffenheim, Schalke and Stuttgart and Leipzig.

Jordan Reaching the World Cup for the first time, Jordan has never achieved much international soccer success. Its best showings in the Asian Cup were runner-up in the 2023 edition and the quarterfinals in 2004 and 2011. Musa Al-Taamari, who has 24 international goals, plays for Rennes in France and is among the few Jordanians with European clubs. Ibrahim Sabra, another attacker, is with Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia. A former midfielder for Morocco, Jamal Sellami took over as Jordan's coach in 2024. ___ AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

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