Messi Set to Start on Bench as Reigning World Champions Face Jordan

Holders Argentina conclude their Group J campaign against already-eliminated Jordan at Dallas Stadium, with top spot in the section already secured. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 a.m. (Bahrain time).

Lionel Scaloni’s side have enjoyed a perfect start to the 2026 World Cup, collecting six points from two matches to confirm first place in the group. Their most recent outing came in a 2-0 victory over Austria, where Lionel Messi was once again the difference-maker, scoring twice to underline his enduring influence on the world stage.

That display followed an early scare when Messi missed a first-half penalty, but the 39-year-old quickly made amends, opening the scoring before adding a second late on. The goals took him to 18 at World Cup finals, moving him past Miroslav Klose as the competition’s outright leading scorer.

Messi began the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria and has now scored all five of Argentina’s goals so far, continuing to drive their title defence as he adds another chapter to a career widely regarded as the greatest in football history.

La Albiceleste are also targeting a place in history as they aim to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup. A fourth triumph would move them level with Germany on the all-time list, with only Brazil’s five titles ahead.

Jordan, meanwhile, head into their final group fixture already eliminated following defeats to Austria (3-1) and Algeria (2-1). Despite bowing out early, Jamal Sellami’s side have shown moments of promise in their first-ever World Cup appearance.

They came close to earning a result against Algeria, holding a lead deep into the closing stages through Nizar Al Rashdan before conceding late. That followed their opening loss to Austria, leaving them without a point from two matches.

The group’s other final fixture sees Algeria meet Austria in Kansas City at the same time, with second and third place still to be decided.