Every time Lionel Messi steps onto a World Cup pitch now, it feels like a rare gift. At 38 years old, in what is almost certainly his final tournament, the greatest player in football history is not merely participating—he is delivering a masterclass. Tonight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Argentina complete their group stage against Jordan in what looks like a foregone conclusion on paper. But when Messi is involved, no match is ever just a formality.
The game begins at 10 p.m. ET. Fans in Canada can watch on TSN and CTV.
Argentina’s Ruthless Dominance in Group J
The defending world champions have been merciless throughout Group J. They started with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria, followed by a controlled 2-0 win against Austria. Both matches ended with clean sheets, and Argentina dictated play from the first whistle to the last. The common thread in both victories was Messi, who has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament so far. At 38, with 116 international goals to his name, he shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, he is accelerating.
Argentina has already secured their spot in the round of 32 as group winners, meaning tonight is technically a dead rubber. Coach Lionel Scaloni faces a genuine dilemma: rest his key players for the upcoming knockout rounds or let Messi and his teammates add to their historic goal tallies.
Jordan’s Historic Debut Ends in Disappointment
For Jordan, this match marks the end of a landmark chapter. Al-Nashama, known as “The Brave Ones,” qualified for their first World Cup by defeating Oman 3-0 in June 2025, a result that sent the entire nation into raptures. They competed with honesty in Group J, scoring twice across two matches, but defeats to 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 his club soccer at Rennes, will lead the attack one final time. For Jordan, simply putting in a respectable performance against the reigning champions on the world’s biggest stage is itself a victory.
The Question of Messi’s Participation
The real talking point 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 brief cameo—giving Messi enough runway to keep his record-breaking momentum going while limiting his minutes. Even at half throttle, he remains the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Why This Match Matters for Canadian Fans
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 his 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 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 last group stage match of Lionel Messi’s World Cup life. It is definitely worth staying up for.