Argentina Makes Decision on Lionel Messi for Final Group Stage Game

When Argentina takes the field for its final Group Stage game against Jordan on Saturday night, Lionel Messi likely won’t be on the field.

“Leo will be a substitute tomorrow, to play later. We’ll announce the team tomorrow,” Argentina head coach Scaloni said during Friday’s news conference ahead of the game at AT&T Stadium, which kicks off at 10 p.m. ET and can be seen on Fox.

Messi stands as the team’s lone goal scorer in this tournament, netting five goals in the first two matches to break the record for most goals in men’s World Cup history at 18. He scored a hat trick against Algeria before adding two more against Austria.

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While he’s in the lead for the Golden Boot in what could be his final World Cup, there’s no need to play Messi. Argentina already locked up Group J after defeating Algeria and Austria in the first two games of group stage play, but that’s not to say the team won’t be prepared.

“The hope is that the team will play the same way. That’s what we’re going to try to do,” Scaloni said. “Jordan is a good opponent, and we’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll try to tweak some aspects of the last match, but with the same intention of controlling the ball and dominating the opponent.”

Argentina will face off against Cape Verde in the Round of 32.

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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 11:26 AM.