Lionel Messi is playing his last group stage match in World Cup history, and Argentina faces Jordan at AT&T Stadium in Texas. At 38, this is almost certainly his final tournament, and every appearance feels like a rare privilege. The match starts at 10 p.m. ET. Canadians can watch on TSN and CTV. Argentina has dominated Group J with unstoppable form. Here’s what they’ve done so far:
– Beat Algeria 3-0 with a clean sheet
– Won against Austria 2-0, again with no goals conceded
– Scored all five of their tournament goals through Messi alone Messi hasn’t slowed down. With 116 international goals, he’s accelerating instead. Argentina already won their group and advanced to the round of 32, making this match a dead rubber. Coach Lionel Scaloni faces a real choice: rest key players for the knockout stage or let Messi play and extend his legendary record. The smarter move is likely to limit his minutes. For Jordan, this match ends their landmark World Cup chapter. They qualified for their first-ever tournament by beating Oman 3-0 in June 2025. Though they lost to Austria and Algeria, they scored twice and showed great effort. Captain Musa Al-Taamari, who plays for Rennes, leads Jordan’s attack. Pride and history are all they have left on the line. For them, a respectable performance against the champions is already a win. The biggest question is whether Scaloni starts Messi. Given the knockout stage begins Sunday, freshness is critical. Argentina’s next opponent likely comes from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. Playing Messi against an eliminated team would be a gamble. Most coaches wouldn’t risk his 38-year-old legs. The expectation is a partial appearance—either a short start or a cameo—giving him runway to keep his momentum while limiting minutes. Even at half speed, Messi remains the most dangerous player on the pitch. Canadians should watch for more than just Messi. Argentina could be a future opponent for Canada deeper in the tournament. Seeing how Scaloni rotates players, which attackers look sharp, and how the defense holds up—even against weaker teams—is valuable scouting. Plus, the theater is unmatched. A warm Texas night, a sold-out 80,000-seat stadium roaring, and Messi on the field. Whether he plays 10 minutes or the full 90, every touch carries the weight of a career that may never be repeated. This is Messi’s final group stage match in World Cup history. It’s worth staying up for.
