The Argentine men’s national football looks to close out it’s World Cup 2026 group stage campaign on a high as it takes on Jordan on Saturday.

The match, set to be played AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, kicks off at 11 p.m. Argentina time, as is the last commitment for head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team before the start of the knockout stages.

With Argentina already booked for the first spot of the group and Jordan with no chances of qualifying, the match is effectively a rubber stamp, and the Albiceleste is expected to rotate heavily it’s squad.

Scaloni confirmed on Friday that team captain and superstar Lionel Messi will start the game from the bench. The Rosario-born player had a blitzing start to the tournament, scoring five goals the first two games.

He’s unlikely to be only change to the team, with the Argentina coach admitting it could be a game where Argentina tests new ideas.

“If we can, we may take the opportunity to try out other systems,” said Scaloni in the Friday press conference. “Jordan usually plays with five at the back and that means different kinds of movements. We’ve worked on it and the team could change up.”

However, Scaloni was adamant that the Albiceleste will go out to win, insisting that “playing with [Argentina’s] jersey means you have to go out to play, do it well, and win any time you can.”

Changes to the team

The defense will likely see the return of River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel at right back after missing out against Austria due to muscle strain. 

With Cristian Romero out to recover from some swelling in his knee following the clash with Austria, Nicolás Otamendi will take his spot at centerback, with either Marcos Senesi or Facundo Medina alongisde him. 

Nicolás Tagliafico, who’s yet to start after coming back from injury, will play at left back.

In midfield, Leandro Paredes and Giovani Lo Celso will likely start alongside a debutant, either Exequiel Palacios or Valentín Barco. Giuliano Simeone and Nicolás Paz also look set to make their debut. 

Up top, Julián Álvarez will replace Lautaro Martínez after waiting to fully recover from a rolled ankle.

Argentina’s rival in the round of 32

Argentina found out its next rival on Friday, after the final set of games in Group H.

It’ll be the tournament’s cinderella story Cape Verde, who managed to push through after getting a draw with Saudi Arabia, helped by Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat to Spain.

The two are set to clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on July 3 at 7 p.m. Argentina.

Cover image: Selección Argentina Twitter