Lionel Messi is playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and he now holds the outright all-time record for goals scored at the tournament in either the men’s or women’s game. Argentina topped Group J with three wins from three group games.
Their first knockout match is a Round of 32 tie against Cape Verde on Friday 3 July in Miami. This guide covers what Messi has done so far, when Argentina play next, and how to get there to watch.
Is Lionel Messi playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes — Messi is the 2026 World Cup’s outright all-time leading scorer, and Argentina have already qualified for the knockout stage as Group J winners. Scaloni named him in the final 26-man roster on 28 May, ending months of speculation.
A brief hamstring scare at Inter Miami raised doubts in early June. He recovered in time to start the opener and scored six goals across Argentina’s three group matches.
- Record sixth World Cup: No outfield player has appeared at more, per ESPN’s squad coverage.
- All-time World Cup top scorer: His six goals in 2026 brought his career total to 19, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 and overtaking Marta (17) to lead both the men’s and women’s all-time World Cup scoring charts outright.
- First World Cup hat-trick: His treble against Algeria on 16 June was his first hat-trick at a World Cup. See the full breakdown of Messi’s World Cup goals by tournament.
- First to score in 7 consecutive World Cup matches: His goal against Jordan extended a run no other player has achieved across World Cup appearances.
- Defending champion: Argentina arrive as holders after winning Qatar 2022.
- Now 39: Messi celebrated his 39th birthday on 24 June 2026 during the group stage, making this his record sixth World Cup.
- Likely his last: Coach Scaloni has called it “probably” Messi’s final World Cup, though he has not ruled out a run to the 2028 Copa América.
For travellers in the Middle East and South Asia, the added draw was Jordan — making its first-ever World Cup appearance in the same group as Messi’s Argentina, before losing 1-3 on 27 June.
When is Argentina’s next match?
Argentina’s three Group J matches are done, and their next fixture is the Round of 32 against Cape Verde on Friday 3 July in Miami. The group also included Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and Argentina won all three games to finish top, according to the official FIFA fixture list.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Kick-off (ET / GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina 3-0 Algeria (FT) | Tue 16 Jun — Kansas City | 9:00 PM ET / 5:00 AM GST (17 Jun) |
| Argentina 2-0 Austria (FT) | Mon 22 Jun — Dallas (Arlington) | 1:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM GST |
| Jordan 1-3 Argentina (FT) | Sat 27 Jun — Dallas (Arlington) | 10:00 PM ET / 6:00 AM GST (28 Jun) |
| Argentina vs Cape Verde (R32) | Fri 3 Jul — Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) | 6:00 PM ET / TBC |
Argentina won all three group games — 3-0 over Algeria (Messi hat-trick), 2-0 over Austria (Messi brace, record-breaking 17th and 18th goals), and 3-1 over Jordan (Lo Celso 19′, Lautaro pen 31′, Messi free-kick 80′). They top Group J on nine points and enter the Round of 32 in the strongest possible form.
For the full breakdown of every kick-off converted to local time across the Gulf and South Asia, see our complete Argentina match schedule guide.
Where to watch Messi live: host cities and getting there
Argentina’s group stage is complete, and their Round of 32 match on 3 July is in Miami, a well-connected destination for fans travelling from the Gulf and South Asia.
Compare hotels in Miami as soon as possible, since prices climb fast around knockout matches. Qatar Airways and Emirates both serve Miami from Doha and Dubai.
- Miami: Hard Rock Stadium — hosts the Round of 32 tie against Cape Verde on 3 July.
- Kansas City: Hosted the Algeria group game on 16 June.
- Dallas (Arlington): Hosted both the Austria and Jordan group games.
If Argentina go deep, further matches could be in New York, Los Angeles or other host cities. Track live routes and schedule updates on the Wego flight tracker.
Compare hotels in Dallas and hotels in Kansas City if you attended any of the group-stage matches in those cities.
How far can Messi go? Argentina’s knockout path
Argentina topped Group J with a perfect nine points from three wins, entering the Round of 32 in the strongest possible form.
Their first knockout fixture is against Cape Verde on Friday 3 July in Miami. The expanded 48-team format means the top two from every group plus the eight best third-placed teams progress, and Argentina went through as outright group winners.
- Round of 32: vs Cape Verde, Friday 3 July, Miami.
- Round of 16 (if Argentina win): venue and date to be confirmed once the bracket updates.
If you are timing a trip around how deep Argentina go, keep your onward bookings flexible. Track live kick-off times and any schedule changes on the Wego flight tracker and the official FIFA standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Messi definitely playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. He started all three of Argentina’s group matches, scoring 6 goals — a hat-trick against Algeria, a brace against Austria to break the all-time World Cup scoring record, and a free-kick against Jordan bringing his career total to 19.
What happened in Argentina’s group matches?
Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 (Messi hat-trick), Austria 2-0 (Messi brace, WC record broken), and Jordan 3-1 (Lo Celso, Lautaro pen, Messi free-kick). They topped Group J with nine points. For Messi’s full goal-by-goal history, see Messi’s World Cup goals and stats.
When is Argentina’s next match?
Argentina face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday 3 July in Miami. As Group J winners they advance directly to the knockout stage. Search flights to Miami and compare hotels in Miami for the match.
Is this Messi’s last World Cup?
It is widely expected to be his final tournament. Messi turned 39 on 24 June 2026 during the group stage, and this is his record sixth World Cup appearance.
Where can I see the full Argentina schedule with local times?
Our Argentina match guide lists every fixture converted to Gulf and South Asian time. Read the full Argentina at the 2026 World Cup schedule.
Sources
- FIFA — Lionel Messi Headlines Argentina World Cup Squad
- FIFA — Argentina 2026 World Cup Fixtures
- FIFA — 2026 World Cup Standings & Knockout Bracket
- ESPN — Messi to Lead Argentina at Record Sixth World Cup
- ESPN — Argentina vs Cape Verde: Round of 32 preview
- Al Jazeera — Cape Verde qualify for World Cup Round of 32, set up date with Argentina
- Al Jazeera — Messi breaks World Cup’s all-time scoring record with 18 goals
- ESPN — Lionel Messi Breaks Record for Most World Cup Goals
- NBC News — Messi becomes first to score in seven straight World Cup games
- Yahoo Sports — Scaloni gives update on Messi’s retirement plans
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J — Fixtures & Results
- Wego — Argentina Match at the 2026 World Cup: Full Schedule
- KCUR — Lionel Messi Made History in Kansas City
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
