Every time Lionel Messi steps onto a World Cup pitch now, fans feel they are witnessing history. At 38 years old, in what is almost certainly his final tournament, the greatest player in football history is not merely competing—he is performing like a master. Tonight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Argentina completes their group stage campaign against Jordan. On paper, this match appears to be a foregone conclusion. Yet when Messi is involved, no game is ever truly just a formality. The match kicks off at 10 p.m. ET. Canadian viewers can watch the broadcast on TSN and CTV.
Argentina Commands Group J with Ruthless Efficiency
As defending world champions, Argentina has been dominant in Group J. They began with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, then secured a 2-0 win against Austria. Both matches featured clean sheets and were controlled from start to finish. The story of these victories has been Lionel Messi, who has scored all five goals Argentina has registered at this tournament. At 38, with 116 international goals to his name, he is not slowing down. He is accelerating. Argentina has already advanced to the round of 32 as the group winner, meaning tonight is technically a dead rubber. Coach Lionel Scaloni faces a genuine dilemma: rest his key players ahead of the knockout rounds or allow Messi and his teammates to add to their historic tallies.
Jordan’s Historic First World Cup Ends Respectably
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. That victory sent an entire nation into raptures. Jordan has competed with honesty in Group J, scoring twice across two matches, but losses to both Austria and Algeria have 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.
Will Scaloni Start Messi Tonight?
The central question 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 maintain his record-breaking momentum while limiting his minutes. Even at half throttle, he remains the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Why the Game Matters Beyond Messi
Beyond the Messi spectacle, there is a broader reason to tune in: Argentina is the team Canada could eventually face deep in this tournament. Observing how Scaloni manages squad rotation, which players look sharp, and how the backline holds up even against modest opposition provides valuable scouting for what could come later in July. Then there is the pure theater 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 life. It is worth staying up for.