Two sides still searching for their first points at World Cup 2026 will collide in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 23, when Jordan take on Algeria in a pivotal Group J fixture — with kickoff set for 4am BST.

For Jordan, the stakes could not be higher. A forbidding final group match against Argentina and Lionel Messi looms, making this meeting with Algeria their most realistic opportunity to claim a maiden World Cup victory. Ali Olwan wrote his name into Jordanian football history by scoring the country's first-ever World Cup goal in their 3-1 opening defeat to Austria, but manager Jamal Sellami knows a point or three here is essential.

Jordan's counter-attacking blueprint

Despite finishing on the wrong end of the scoreline against Austria — a side ranked 47 places above them in FIFA's global standings — Jordan showed genuine resilience. Sellami's men controlled barely 37 percent of possession yet matched Austria shot for shot, registering 11 attempts and four on target, while making 21 incursions into the Austrian penalty area.

That counter-attacking philosophy is deeply embedded in Jordan's approach and is unlikely to change against Algeria. The danger is that such a strategy demands respect from the opposition — and Algeria, armed with genuine quality across the pitch, may be too comfortable in possession to allow the spaces Jordan need.

Algeria's talent yet to fire

Vladimir Petkovic's Algeria suffered a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in their opener, outshone by Messi's hat-trick, but the squad's depth and individual quality remains considerable. Riyad Mahrez — the Desert Foxes' most recognisable name and a veteran of Manchester City and Leicester City — did not even start that game, entering only in the 64th minute from the Al Ahli bench at 35 years old.

Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa and Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi started on the flanks against Argentina, while Petkovic can also call upon Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Ibrahim Maza — nicknamed 'Mazadona' by supporters — and Wolfsburg striker Mohamed Amoura, the top scorer during African World Cup qualifying.

That collective has yet to click, but the expectation is that it will. With qualification for the last 32 still firmly in reach, Algeria have every incentive to dismantle Jordan's defensive structure and take all three points.

Prediction

Jordan will make this difficult — their organisation and counter-attacking threat are legitimate weapons — but Algeria's individual quality should ultimately prove the difference. Expect a competitive match, with the Desert Foxes edging it.

Score prediction: Jordan 1-2 Algeria