Algeria have more quality and experience when it comes to big competitions, so I will back them to recover from the initial loss and secure important points for the playoff race.
Key Stats
- Jordan have lost their last 3 matches.
- Algeria have won to nil in 3 of their last 5 matches.
- Amine Gouiri has scored 4 goals in his last 5 matches for Algeria.
Just One Previous Meeting
These two sides locked horns just once so far, a friendly match in May 2024 which ended in a 1-1 draw.
First World Cup Appearance for Jordan
If there had been fewer mistakes in their back line, Jordan could have caused far more problems for the favored Austria in their first World Cup appearance, but ultimately had to settle for a 3-1 defeat.
They fired 11 shots in total in this opening match, with four on target, while Ali Olwan scored an equalizer in the 50th minute, but they couldn’t prevent Austria from adding two more goals.
After two consecutive 2-2 draws against Costa Rica and Nigeria in March, Jordan played two more test games ahead of the WC 2026 earlier this month. They recorded back to back defeats against Switzerland 4-1 and Colombia, Odel Al Fakhouri being the sole scorer.
Algeria Under Pressure
Besides an early goal of Fares Chaibi which was disallowed by VAR, Algeria haven’t shown anything in their World Cup 2026 opening match against Argentina, suffering a well-deserved 3-0 loss here.
They finished this clash with 0.33-1.26 expected goals and 0-6 shots on target. Coach Vladimir Petkovic started without Riyad Mahrez who was substituted in the 64th minute but failed to spark the offense.
The Fennec Foxes looked great in their June friendlies, earning a 1-0 upset victory against the Netherlands in Rotterdam where Anis Hadj Moussa found the net, then crushed Bolivia 4-0 in the final test in Kansas.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Jordan (3-4-2-1) Mohammad Abualnadi; Musallam Naseeb, Odeh Fakhouri, Ali Olwan; Mohannad Abu Taha, Yazan Al-Arab, Moussa Al Tamari, Yazeed Abu Laila, Ehsan Haddad, Nizar Al-Rashdan; Noor Al Rawabdeh
Ali Olwan is expected to be the biggest attacking threat here, netting 30 goals in 67 appearances for the national team so far. Jordan have no reported injuries ahead of this match.
Algeria (4-3-3) Luca Zidane; Rafik Belghali, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Ait Nouri; Houssem Aouar, Nabil Bentaleb, Ibrahim Maza; Amine Gouiri, Riyad Mahrez, Fares Chaibi
I expect Vladimir Petkovic to start with 35-year old veteran Riyad Mahrez this time instead of Anis Hadj Moussa. Rayan Ait Nouri should be way more offensive here than in the opening clash.
I expect Vladimir Petkovic to start with 35-year old veteran Riyad Mahrez this time instead of Anis Hadj Moussa. Rayan Ait Nouri should be way more offensive here than in the opening clash.