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Algeria rallied from a goal down to defeat Jordan 2-1 on June 23 in a Group J match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, claiming their first three points of the tournament according to Qatar News Agency. Nizar Al Rashdan scored for Jordan in the 36th minute before Nadhir Benbouali equalized in the 69th minute and Amine Gouiri added the winner in the 82nd minute, the agency reported. The result places Algeria third in the group with three points while eliminating debutants Jordan, who have zero points from two matches, FIFA standings indicate.
The encounter witnessed attacking play from both teams during the first half, The Guardian reported. Jordan capitalized on an Algerian defensive error to take the lead through Al Rashdan’s low shot into the corner. Algeria controlled much of the possession without reward until the interval but responded strongly after the break.
A Riyad Mahrez corner enabled substitute Benbouali to head home the equalizer in the 69th minute, according to The Guardian match report. Gouiri then converted a loose ball 13 minutes later to complete the turnaround, as confirmed in FIFA tournament highlights. This result represented Algeria’s first win at the 2026 finals and kept their progression hopes intact.
FIFA group data updated following the match shows defending champions Argentina top Group J with six points from two victories. Austria occupies second place with three points, while Algeria’s three points leave them in third on goal difference, an ESPN group analysis found. Jordan has been knocked out with two defeats, the standings confirm.
ESPN historical records place Algeria 28th in the world rankings with a best tournament finish of the round of 16 in 2014. Jordan, ranked 63rd and appearing at their first World Cup, have now concluded their group campaign with zero points after the loss, a pre-tournament FIFA preview noted. The debutants face Argentina in their final fixture on June 28.
Algeria will meet Austria on June 28 in their concluding group game, where a positive outcome is required to challenge for a knockout berth, World Soccer Talk assessments indicated. The 2026 edition features 48 teams with an expanded format that includes potential advancement for certain third-placed sides, according to FIFA regulations. Group J has featured competitive matches with Argentina establishing clear dominance early in the stage.
