Lionel Messi to Start on Bench as Argentina Faces Jordan in World Cup Match
Argentina's Strategy Against Jordan
In a recent announcement, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that Lionel Messi, the World Cup's leading scorer, will not start in the upcoming match against Jordan on Saturday night. Instead, the star player will begin the game on the bench.
Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, has been instrumental in Argentina's success, netting all five goals in their previous wins against Algeria and Austria, which secured their advancement to the knockout stage with one group match remaining.
Scaloni stated, "Leo will start on the bench. He will come in a little bit later." He emphasized the importance of the players chosen for this match, acknowledging their dedication during training and the significant role they play in the team.
He expressed his desire to provide playing time for all players, highlighting their deserving nature and high caliber. "Those who are playing tomorrow deserve to play; they are part of the team. The effort we’ve put into training is because of them, and that’s why we’re here. They are making every effort when they’re not playing. I’d love to give everybody minutes, and when I have the chance, I do, and it’s because they deserve it. They are fantastic players too," Scaloni remarked.
Additionally, Scaloni mentioned that Jordan typically employs a five-defender formation, and Argentina is ready to adapt their strategy if they encounter challenges during the match.
"Jordan usually plays with five defenders, and we’re open to the possibility that, if we’re facing some difficulties, we might have to adjust our approach," he concluded.
Argentina will wrap up their Group J campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Jordan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday. This match is largely inconsequential, as Messi's team has already secured the top position in the group following their victories over Algeria and Austria. Conversely, Jordan has been eliminated after losing to both Austria and Algeria, rendering Saturday's game irrelevant to the final standings in Group J.