Argentina XI vs Jordan: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup 2026 today

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·27 juin 2026

Argentina XI vs Jordan: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup 2026 today

Lionel Messi’s role has been confirmed for final Group J contest in Dallas

Head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on the eve of his side’s final Group J contest that the top scorer both at this tournament and now of all-time on football’s biggest stage would be restricted to a likely substitute’s cameo in Dallas.

“Leo will most likely come on in the second half,” Scaloni said.

“We talked and agreed that it was better that way, but obviously it's also good for him to stay in competitive form.

“The decision of who plays is not related to who plays in the next match.

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“Jordan is a good opponent, and our intention will be to have the ball and dominate through possession. The opponent's forwards are fast and we will have to take that into account.”

Messi has made an incredible start to what is his sixth and final World Cup, overtaking Germany great Miroslav Klose to become the leading scorer in finals history with the first of his two goals against Austria, which came after an early penalty miss.

Deserved rest: Lionel Messi will begin on the bench as Argentina face Jordan at the World Cup

That was after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had escaped a potential red card and gone on to notch a scintillating hat-trick in Argentina’s opening victory over Algeria.

However, with Messi having turned 39 earlier this week, Scaloni must be careful with his usage.

Argentina are already assured of top spot in Group J after back-to-back opening wins and the defending champions will be heavy favourites to make it a clean sweep against debutants Jordan, who are already out after successive losses.

They already know they will be facing Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami next Friday (July 3), after the Blue Sharks made history by finishing as shock runners-up to European champions Spain in Group H, ahead of Uruguay.

Scaloni has hinted at a number of other changes against Jordan as he takes the opportunity to rest more key players for the knockout stages.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is stepping up his recovery from a knee injury suffered against Austria on Monday, but is expected to miss this game and be replaced at centre-back by Nicolas Otamendi.

New Spurs signing Marcos Senesi could deputise alongside him in place of Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, having received a late call-up to the squad following a calf injury sustained by Leonardo Balerdi.

Emiliano Martinez should continue in goal, with Nicolas Tagliafico - who conducted pre-match media duties on Friday - set to replace Facundo Medina at left-back. Gonzalo Montiel could fill in for Nahuel Molina at right-back.

Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to make way for Exequiel Palacios and Leandro Paredes as the central midfield pairing, with the versatile Giovani Lo Celso potentially coming in out wide.

Julian Alvarez is likely to lead the attack after Lautaro Martinez was preferred as Messi’s strike partner for the first two games, possibly joined by Nico Paz. Giuliano Simeone is also expected to start.

Valentin Barco and Jose Manuel Lopez should also feature off the bench.

Predicted Argentina XI: E Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Senesi, Tagliafico; Simeone, Paredes, Palacios, Lo Celso; Paz, Alvarez

Injured: Romero