Every time Lionel Messi steps onto a World Cup field, the atmosphere shifts into something rare. At 38 years of age, in what is almost certainly his last tournament, the greatest player in football history is not merely participating—he is delivering a masterclass. Tonight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Argentina concludes their group stage matchups against Jordan. On paper, this looks like a guaranteed win for the defending champions. Yet when Messi is involved, no game is ever just a formality.
The match begins at 10 p.m. ET. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN and CTV.
Argentina Dominates Group J Without Mercy
The defending world champions have been ruthless in Group J. They started with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, followed by a 2-0 win against Austria. Both matches ended in clean sheets, with Argentina controlling the pace from the opening whistle to the final one. The story of these victories centers on Messi, who has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament so far. At 38, with 116 international goals to his name, he is not slowing down. He is accelerating.
Argentina has already secured their spot in the round of 32 as group winners, making tonight technically a dead rubber. However, coach Lionel Scaloni faces a genuine dilemma: rest his key players ahead of the knockout rounds, or let Messi and his teammates add to their already historic goal totals.
- Messi has scored 5 of Argentina’s 5 goals in Group J
- Argentina holds two consecutive clean sheets (3-0 vs Algeria, 2-0 vs Austria)
- Team is already qualified for the round of 32 as group winners
- Coach Scaloni must decide between player rest or full performance
Jordan’s Historic Run Ends Against Champions
For Jordan, this match marks the close of a landmark chapter. Al-Nashama—”The Brave Ones”—qualified for their first-ever World Cup by beating Oman 3-0 in June 2025, a result that sent an entire nation into raptures. They have competed honestly in Group J, scoring twice across two matches, but defeats to both Austria and Algeria have ended any hope of advancement.
They arrive at AT&T Stadium with nothing but pride and history on the line. Captain Musa Al-Taamari, who plays his club soccer at Rennes, will lead the attack one final time. For Jordan, just putting in a respectable performance against the reigning champions on the biggest stage in the world is itself a win.
The Messi Decision and Tournament Stakes
The real talking point heading into tonight is simple: does Scaloni start Messi? With the knockout stage beginning Sunday, Argentina’s priority is freshness and fitness. Their likely round of 32 opponent comes from Group H—a bracket that includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. Risking Messi’s 38-year-old legs against an already-eliminated side would be a gamble few coaches would take.
The expectation is a partial appearance—a start or a cameo—giving Messi enough runway to keep his record-breaking momentum going while limiting his minutes. Even at half throttle, he is the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Beyond the Messi spectacle, there is a broader reason to tune in: Argentina are the team Canada could eventually face deep in this tournament. Watching how Scaloni manages his squad rotation, which players look sharp, and how the backline holds up even against modest opposition is valuable scouting for what could come later in July.
And then there is the pure theatre of it. Messi at a World Cup, on a warm Texas night, with a sold-out stadium of 80,000 roaring. Whether he plays 10 minutes or 90, every touch carries the weight of a career that may never be replicated.
This is the last group stage match of Lionel Messi’s World Cup life. Worth staying up for.