By Zoila Palma: Lionel Messi will begin 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage leaders Argentina’s final match against Jordan on the bench, head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed.
The match, set to be played in Dallas, is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 a.m. BST on Sunday, with Scaloni indicating that Messi is expected to feature in the second half.
Scaloni stressed that the decision to rest the 39-year-old captain is not related to injury. He explained that he and Messi agreed it would be best for the forward to begin the match among the substitutes while remaining in competitive rhythm. The coach also noted that his lineup selection for the Jordan match is not an indication of his plans for Argentina’s next fixture.
Messi enters the match as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals from his first two appearances, including a brace against Austria that saw him become the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer. Scaloni praised Jordan as a quality opponent, saying Argentina will look to dominate possession while remaining cautious of the opposition’s pace in attack.
Meanwhile, the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot remains competitive.
The post International News: Messi to start Argentina’s final group match on the bench appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Lionel Messi will begin 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage leaders Argentina’s final match against Jordan on the bench, head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed. The match, set to be played in Dallas, is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 a.m. BST on Sunday, with Scaloni indicating that Messi is expected to feature
The post International News: Messi to start Argentina’s final group match on the bench appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
