Will Lionel Messi Play in Jordan vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Match?
Lionel Messi is set to lead defending champions Argentina against FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants Jordan tonight, June 27, 2026, at 9:00 PM CDT in Dallas Stadium. With Argentina already through to the Round of 32, all eyes are on Messi's performance as Jordan seeks a historic result in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Football fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting tonight's FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J showdown between defending champions Argentina and tournament newcomers Jordan. All eyes will be on Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who is anticipated to feature discreetly in the crucial match as La Albiceleste aims to solidify their top spot in the group. Heartwarming Video of Father Helping Visually Impaired Son 'See' Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Goal Goes Viral.
The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled for June 28, 2026, at 7:30 AM IST, taking place at the state-of-the-art Dallas Stadium in Texas. While Argentina has already secured its place in the Round of 32 following impressive victories over Algeria and Austria, the match against Jordan represents an opportunity for manager Lionel Scaloni to maintain momentum and potentially fine-tune tactics ahead of the knockout stages.
Will Lionel Messi Play in Jordan vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Match?
Lionel Messi, who just celebrated his 39th birthday on June 24, 2026, has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament. His inclusion in the squad for his record-setting sixth World Cup appearance underscores his continued importance to the national team.
However, Scaloni said on Saturday that the Argentine superstar, who has scored all five of his team's goals in the competition so far, will start on the bench and may play the game as a substitute. Scaloni did not say when Messi might substitute in to the game, or what his lineup would be against first-time World Cup participant Jordan, which lost its first two matches. FIFA World Cup 2026 Becomes Highest Goal-Scoring Edition Ever to Eclipse Qatar 2022 Record.
Jordan's Historic Journey
For Jordan, this match is a monumental occasion. The 'Nashama' (The Brave Ones) are making their historic debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026, a culmination of decades of effort. They secured their qualification after an outstanding campaign, finishing second in their AFC qualifying group. Despite facing daunting opponents in Group J, including the reigning champions, Jordan will be looking to make their mark on the global stage. This marks the first-ever competitive meeting between Argentina and Jordan.
Group J Standings (as of June 27, 2026 - prior to this match)
| Team | Points | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
| Austria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Algeria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| Jordan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 |
As Argentina looks to continue their impressive title defense, and Jordan seeks to create a memorable moment in their World Cup debut, this Group J encounter promises to be an engaging battle on the North American stage, with Lionel Messi expected to once again be at the heart of the action.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2026 02:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
