Lionel Messi to start on the bench for Argentina in World Cup finale

Defending World Cup champion Argentina will face Jordan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, without captain Lionel Messi in the starting lineup. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Friday that his star forward, who recently celebrated his 39th birthday, will begin the Group J finale on the bench at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

The decision comes as Argentina has already secured its place in the knockout stage, having won its first two matches against Algeria and Austria. Messi, who arrived at the tournament following a hamstring injury sustained with Inter Miami, has been the focal point of the team’s offense, scoring all five of Argentina's goals to date. This output has elevated him to a total of 18 career World Cup goals, establishing him as the competition's all-time record holder. Following his two-goal performance against Austria on Monday, June 22, 2026, the captain admitted to physical fatigue.

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Scaloni indicated that the choice to rotate his squad is motivated by a desire to reward players who have trained consistently but have seen limited action. "I think these guys who, if they play tomorrow, they deserve to play," Scaloni said, noting that the decision was not a slight against the opponent. "They make up part of the group, part of the process and it’s a big achievement for everything they’ve done."

While Messi will not start, Scaloni noted that the captain is expected to enter the match during the second half to maintain his competitive rhythm. The manager emphasized that he expects the team's tactical identity to remain consistent regardless of the personnel on the field. "The hope is that the team will play the same way," Scaloni said. "That’s what we’re going to try to do."

Squad and Tactical Outlook

The shift in lineup is expected to be comprehensive. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez may be the only regular starter retained for the contest. Several players are poised to rotate into the squad, including Nico Paz, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentín Barco, Flaco López, Exequiel Palacios, Marcos Senesi, Guiliano Simeone, and Leonardo Balerdi. Argentina’s technical staff is also preparing for the tactical challenge presented by Jordan, which is playing in its first World Cup. Scaloni warned that Jordan may utilize a five-defender formation, requiring Argentina to remain flexible in how they attempt to control possession and break down the defense.

What to Watch Next

• Group Finale: Argentina versus Jordan concludes the group stage on Saturday night.
• Round of 32: Having secured the top spot in Group J, Argentina is scheduled to play its opening knockout match on July 1, 2026, in Miami. The opponent will be the second-place team from Group H, with projections currently favoring Cabo Verde.
• Tournament Progression: Should Argentina advance through the bracket, the tournament schedule involves five matches over a 17-day span, culminating in the final on July 19, 2026.

Addressing the broader tournament landscape, left-back Nicolás Tagliafico expressed confidence in the team's current trajectory during Friday's press conference. "He’s enjoying it, and we’re enjoying it as well," Tagliafico said, referring to Messi’s form. Despite having already qualified, the squad maintains that they will not lower their intensity against Jordan. "We cannot let our guard down, we cannot relax, even though we have qualified already," Tagliafico added.

The match serves as a necessary recovery period for the team’s most prominent figure as they look toward the more strenuous knockout rounds. By resting the record-breaking forward, Scaloni aims to ensure his captain is physically prepared for the remaining five potential games in the tournament, balancing the need for rest with the importance of keeping the talismanic leader sharp for the path to the final.