Argentina have already confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup as Group J champions, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to rest captain Lionel Messi for their final group match against Jordan. The match will take place on Sunday, June 28, at 8 a.m. Bangladesh time in Dallas Stadium. Scaloni confirmed in a pre-match press conference that Messi will not start but may come on as a substitute during the game.

Argentina lead the group with six points from two consecutive wins, making it impossible for any other team to overtake them. Jordan have already been eliminated from the tournament. Scaloni emphasized that his team selection for the Jordan match has no connection to potential opponents in the next round, where Argentina will face the runner-up from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.

Scaloni stated that resting Messi is part of a strategy to keep him fresh for the knockout stage, where the real challenge of the World Cup begins and every mistake could mean elimination.