Every time Lionel Messi walks onto a World Cup field, the moment feels sacred. At 38 years old, in what is almost certainly his last World Cup, the greatest player in football history is not merely participating—he is delivering a masterclass. Tonight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Argentina completes their group stage campaign against Jordan. While the matchup appears one-sided on paper, Messi’s involvement guarantees that no contest is ever just a formality.
The match begins at 10 p.m. ET. Canadian viewers can watch the action on TSN and CTV.
Argentina’s Ruthless Dominance in Group J
The defending world champions have been unstoppable throughout Group J. They opened with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria and followed it with a tight 2-0 win against Austria—both matches ending with clean sheets and controlled from start to finish. The story behind both triumphs centers on Messi, who has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in 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 technically represents a dead rubber. However, coach Lionel Scaloni faces a genuine dilemma: rest his key players before the knockout rounds, or allow Messi and his teammates to add to their already historic goal totals.
Jordan’s Proud World Cup Journey Ends
For Jordan, this match marks the conclusion of a landmark chapter. Al-Nashama—known as “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 with integrity in Group J, scoring twice across two matches, but losses to both Austria and Algeria eliminated 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 club soccer at Rennes, will lead the attack one final time. For Jordan, delivering a respectable performance against the reigning champions on the world’s biggest stage is itself a victory.
The Critical Question of Messi’s Participation
The real talking point heading into tonight is simple: will 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—either a brief start or a cameo—giving Messi enough runway to maintain his record-breaking momentum while limiting his minutes. Even at half throttle, he remains the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Why Canadian Fans Should Tune In
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 squad rotation, identifying which players look sharp, and observing how the backline holds up even against modest opposition provides valuable scouting intelligence for what could come later in July.
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 final group stage match of Lionel Messi’s World Cup journey. It is worth staying up for.