Argentina vs Egypt: FIFA World Cup last 16 – Messi, Salah, prediction, news

Published 6 July 2026 · sports

Lionel Messi’s Argentina go up against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in a spicy World Cup round of 16 encounter. Four wins to go. How can your

Lionel Messi’s Argentina go up against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in a spicy World Cup round of 16 encounter. Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out. Who: Argentina vs Egypt What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16 Where: Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States When: Tuesday, July 7, at 12pm (16:00 GMT) How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 12:30 GMT before our live text commentary stream. Get ready for a spicy battle of the number 10s – a dazzling duel between Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah, two of the greatest forwards in world football, as Argentina face Egypt in the World Cup round of 16. Argentina have been the clear favourites in every game they’ve played at the tournament, but after being made to work for victory in the last tie, the presumption that the reigning champions are unbeatable has been broken. Egypt, on the other hand, are on a historic run of their own, gearing up to chase a first-ever quarterfinal berth. One of only two African sides remaining at the tournament, they carry the hopes of the continent and have gone toe-to-toe with the world’s best. Al Jazeera tells you everything about Argentina vs Egypt How did Argentina and Egypt reach the round of 16?

Argentina topped Group J with a perfect record of nine points, winning against Austria, Algeria and Jordan. In the round of 32, they were pushed to extra time by a resilient Cape Verde team before edging past the tournament debutants 3-2 in a thrilling contest. Egypt came second in Group G with five points, drawing with Belgium and Iran and winning against New Zealand. They defeated Australia 4-2 on penalties in the round of 32 after the game was tied 1-1 following extra time. It marked the first-ever World Cup knockout for Egypt, who made their tournament debut in 1934. More World Cup history beckons for Messi This tournament’s Golden Boot race is one for the ages. Argentina legend Messi, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland are all tied at seven goals, with Mbappe leading the list, his two assists breaking the tie. If Messi – who has scored in each of Argentina’s four games so far – finds the net against Egypt, not only will he become the Golden Boot leader, but he will also join Guillermo Stabile (1930) as the only Argentina player to score eight goals in a single World Cup. But ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 tie, there have been concerns about fatigue, and it’s not just limited to Messi. Argentina were forced to play extra time by Cape Verde in the heat in Miami in the US on Friday, while Egypt-Australia went all the way to penalties on the same day.