6 December 2025
Football fans may be able to witness a fiery clash between Portugal's captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, and his Argentine rival, Lionel Messi, in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Both teams have a strong chance of topping their groups and reaching the Round of 32. Argentina, the defending champions, will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, while Portugal will play against Uzbekistan, Colombia, and the winner of the intercontinental play-off (DR Congo, New Caledonia, and Jamaica).
Both teams are expected to top their respective groups in the group stage, setting the stage for the highly anticipated match and the direct confrontation between the two superstars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has scored 117 goals in 191 international appearances for Portugal and won Euro 2016, while Messi has scored 90 goals in 164 international appearances for Argentina and won the Copa América last year.
The two superstars share the characteristic of having dominated world football for a significant portion of the last two decades of the 21st century.
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, is expected to be the final stage for Messi and Ronaldo, allowing them to conclude their international careers with unforgettable moments.
