Every time Lionel Messi steps onto a World Cup pitch, it feels like a historic moment. At 38 years old, in what is almost certainly his final tournament, the greatest player in football history is not just participating—he is delivering a masterclass. Tonight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Argentina concludes their group stage against Jordan. While the matchup appears to be a foregone conclusion on paper, no game involving Messi ever becomes merely a formality.
The match begins at 10 p.m. ET. Fans in Canada can watch the action on TSN and CTV.
- Argentina has dominated Group J with two straight victories and clean sheets
- Lionel Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far
- Jordan made their first-ever World Cup appearance after beating Oman in June 2025
- The knockout round begins Sunday, making rest a priority for key players
Argentina’s Dominance in Group J
The defending world champions have been ruthless in Group J. They started with a commanding 3-0 win over Algeria, followed by a controlled 2-0 victory against Austria. Both matches ended with clean sheets and were managed from start to finish. The story of both games has centered on Messi, who has scored every one of Argentina’s five goals at this tournament. 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, meaning tonight’s match is technically a dead rubber. However, coach Lionel Scaloni faces a genuine dilemma: should he rest his key players ahead of the knockout rounds, or allow Messi and his teammates to add to their already historic goal tallies?
Jordan’s Historic Journey Ends
For Jordan, this match marks the close of a landmark chapter. Al-Nashama—”The Brave Ones”—qualified for their first-ever World Cup by defeating Oman 3-0 in June 2025, a result that sent an entire nation into raptures. They competed honestly in Group J, scoring twice across two matches, but defeats to both Austria and Algeria 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, simply delivering a respectable performance against the reigning champions on the biggest stage in the world is itself a win.
The Messi Decision
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 remains the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Why Fans Should Watch
Beyond the Messi spectacle, there is a broader reason to tune in: Argentina is 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 offers 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. It is worth staying up for.
