Messi to Begin on Bench as Argentina Faces Jordan in Final Group Match

Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has announced that Lionel Messi will start on the bench for their upcoming World Cup match against Jordan. The decision comes as Argentina has already secured their place at the top of Group J, guaranteeing progression to the knockout rounds.

Scaloni confirmed the news during a press conference on Friday, stating, “Leo will go to the bench. I’ll hold off on the final starting lineup, but Leo will come in later.” This strategic rotation allows the team to manage player fitness and provide opportunities for players who have not yet featured prominently in the tournament.

Por que importa

Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday, is currently the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals from Argentina’s opening two games. His continued presence on the field, even as a substitute, ensures he will get minutes and maintain match sharpness ahead of the crucial knockout stages. If Messi were to not play against Jordan, he would face an 11-day gap before Argentina’s round-of-32 fixture on July 3.

Scaloni emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of all players. “The great merit of everything that’s been done goes to the boys who are always there and train to the max,” he said. “I think that when there’s an opportunity, there are great players who also deserve to come in. And the idea is for the team to play in the same way.”

Contexto

Key facts

The Argentine squad has demonstrated strong chemistry and performance, with Messi’s contributions being pivotal. Left-back Nicolás Tagliafico commented on Messi’s current form, stating, “In Leo, you see everything; he’s at the exact same level he was at in 2022, or even better. He’s enjoying it, and we’re enjoying it as well.”

Jordan enters the match having lost both of their previous group games against Austria and Algeria, and are therefore eliminated from the competition. Argentina will face the second-placed team from Group H in the round of 32, with Cape Verde projected as their most likely opponent according to live projections.

Despite their already qualified status, the team remains focused on finishing the group stage undefeated. “We cannot let our guard down, we cannot relax, even though we have qualified already,” Tagliafico added. Scaloni also indicated that this rotation strategy would remain consistent, even if facing a stronger opponent, deeming any other approach “completely disrespectful.”

This decision highlights Argentina’s depth and the coaching staff’s commitment to a balanced approach as they navigate the tournament. The focus remains on maintaining team harmony and peak performance for the challenges ahead in the knockout stages.

Source: The Athletic Football (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7399159/2026/06/26/lionel-messi-argentina-jordan-world-cup/)