The reigning world champions. The most decorated nation in Africa. Lionel Messi chasing history. Mohamed Salah in tears at a first-ever knockout win. When Argentina meet Egypt at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday, it will be the most storied clash of the Round of 16, and the one the entire continent of Africa will be watching.
Match Details
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 16 |
| Date | Tuesday, July 7, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM UK / 6:00 PM Morocco |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Capacity | 75,000+ |
How to Watch Argentina vs Egypt
- 🇺🇸 USA (English): Fox
- 🇺🇸 USA (Spanish): Telemundo, Peacock
- 🇬🇧 UK: ITV1
- 🇦🇷 Argentina: TyC Sports / TV Pública
- 🇪🇬 Egypt: beIN Sports Arabia
- 🇲🇦 Morocco: SNRT
🇦🇷 Argentina: How They Got Here
Argentina swept into the knockout stage as Group J winners on the back of three consecutive victories. Their full campaign:
- Argentina 3-0 Algeria: Messi opened with a hat-trick in Kansas City
- Argentina 2-0 Austria : a composed win in Arlington
- Argentina 3-1 Jordan: sealed top spot with a dominant finale
In the Round of 32, the defending champions were given the fright of the tournament. Argentina goals: Messi (29'), L. Martínez (92'), Borges OG (111'). Cape Verde goals: Duarte (59'), Lopes Cabral (103').
Messi had almost inevitably given Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with his seventh goal of the tournament, but Deroy Duarte equalised just before the hour mark. The Blue Sharks held on to send the match into an additional half hour before Lisandro Martínez lashed a sumptuous shot into the roof of the net in the second minute of the first period of extra time to put Argentina ahead again. Cape Verde were not done yet, however, and left back Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net in the 103rd minute to level again.
The Albiceleste took the lead twice, and the Blue Sharks answered both times, but with ten minutes to play in extra time a Lionel Messi corner led to an own goal from Diney Borges that sent the defending champions into the Round of 16.
The goal was Messi's 20th at the global showpiece, putting him in the lead in the race for the adidas Golden Boot.
Players to watch:
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): Messi has now scored in a record-extending eight successive matches in the FIFA World Cup. Seven goals in the tournament so far, leading the Golden Boot race. At 39, this is almost certainly his last World Cup.
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea): the midfield metronome who controls Argentina's tempo and transition
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan): the striker whose movement creates the space Messi exploits
- Lisandro Martínez (Man Utd): the defensive rock who also scored the crucial extra-time goal against Cape Verde
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa): the penalty shootout specialist who saved Argentina's World Cup in Qatar
🇪🇬 Egypt: How They Got Here
Belgium topped Group G, with Egypt finishing as runners-up based on goal difference. Both teams advanced to the Round of 32. Their full group campaign:
- Egypt 3-1 New Zealand: Egypt's first World Cup win in their history
- Belgium 1-1 Egypt: an own goal caused by Mohamed Hany allowed Belgium to level, ending in a hard-fought draw
- Egypt 1-1 Iran: a point was enough to confirm second place in Group G
In the Round of 32, Egypt made history in Dallas. Egypt overcame Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Round of 16 after a closely contested 1-1 draw. Emam Ashour had put Egypt in front early on, but Mohamed Hany's own goal 10 minutes into the second half drew Australia level, with neither team able to find a winner across 120 minutes.
Egypt converted all their kicks, including a nerveless Panenka effort by Salah as Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missed for Australia.
"It's history," said Salah, who was emotional after his country won a World Cup knockout game for the first time. "I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on. Enjoy it and don't let the pressure get to you."
Players to watch:
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): his 67 international goals sit second on Egypt's all-time list, two behind coach Hossam Hassan. Playing through a hamstring concern, he is Egypt's heartbeat and captain. This is almost certainly his last World Cup.
- Omar Marmoush (Manchester City): explosive pace and movement off Salah; should have doubled Egypt's lead against Australia. Dangerous in transition.
- Emam Ashour: only the third Egypt player to score more than one goal at a single FIFA World Cup tournament, after Abdelrahman Fawzi (2 in 1934) and Mohamed Salah (2 in 2018)
- Mostafa Shobeir: the goalkeeper who was faultless in the penalty shootout against Australia
- Marwan Attia: leads Egypt's tournament stats with 191 passes completed; the midfield engine
The Sub-Plot: Two Legends, One Last Shot
This match carries a weight beyond football results. The most decorated nations in South American and African football meet in Atlanta: 16-time Copa America champions Argentina face seven-time CAF Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt.
For Messi and Salah, two of the greatest players the world has ever seen, this could be the last time either plays a World Cup knockout match. Both are 34+ years old. Both have carried their nations' dreams for a decade. One of them goes home on Tuesday.
The entire continent of Africa will be willing the Pharaohs on. The entirety of South America will be backing La Albiceleste. What a stage. What a story.
The Stage: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Standing at over 300 feet high, Atlanta Stadium features a one-of-a-kind retractable roof, a first-of-its-kind 360-degree halo video display, and has been lauded as the most sustainable stadium in the world. Atlanta United of Major League Soccer and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons call the ground home. Since opening in 2017, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl LIII and the FIFA Club World Cup. This will be the seventh World Cup game played here, with the eighth and final fixture at the venue set to be the semi-final on July 15, which could also feature one of Argentina or Egypt.
Tactical Preview
Argentina under Lionel Scaloni will look to dominate possession and use Messi's creative genius to unlock Egypt's organised defensive structure. The concern from the Cape Verde game is real: Argentina were exposed to counter-attacks repeatedly, and Marmoush's pace could be even more dangerous in behind. Scaloni must find a way to protect his fullbacks while giving Messi the freedom to influence.
Egypt under Hossam Hassan will set up in their familiar defensive block, disciplined, compact, and hard to break down. The Pharaohs held Belgium to a draw and frustrated Australia for 120 minutes. Against Argentina's individual quality, the task is greater, but the blueprint is the same: stay organised, absorb pressure, and release Salah and Marmoush on the counter when the opportunity comes.
The key battle: Enzo Fernández vs Egypt's midfield block. If Argentina's midfield can control the tempo, Egypt's defensive shape will eventually crack. If Egypt can force Argentina into long shots and frustrate Messi into dropping deep, this goes deep into the match.
Prediction
Argentina have been unconvincing, nearly knocked out by Cape Verde, having needed 120 minutes to see off a 67th-ranked debutant. But Egypt arrive exhausted after their own 120-minute penalty marathon against Australia, with Salah carrying a hamstring concern.
Messi, on his greatest stage and in the form of his life with seven goals already, is the decisive factor. When he is in this mood, no defensive structure holds forever.
Our prediction: Argentina 2-0 Egypt
Argentina start brighter and find the opener through Messi or Lautaro before half-time. Egypt tire in the second half and a late second confirms the result. But don't write the Pharaohs off before the first whistle.
Path to the Quarter-Finals
Whoever comes out on top in this Round of 16 encounter will progress to a clash against Switzerland or Colombia in Kansas City on July 11.
Tournament Stats Compared
| Stat | Argentina 🇦🇷 | Egypt 🇪🇬 |
|---|---|---|
| Games played | 4 | 4 |
| Wins | 4* | 2 + 1 pen |
| Goals scored | 12 | 6 |
| Goals conceded | 4 | 4 |
| Top scorer | Messi (7) | Salah (1) |
| Penalty shootouts | 0 | 1 (won) |
*Including extra time win over Cape Verde
FAQ: Argentina vs Egypt World Cup 2026
When is Argentina vs Egypt at the World Cup?
Monday, July 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM BST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
How can I watch Argentina vs Egypt?
In the USA: Fox (English) or Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish). In the UK: BBC iPlayer or ITVX free to watch. In Egypt: beIN Sports. Full streaming guide How to Watch the World Cup Without Cable.
How many goals has Messi scored at World Cup 2026?
Lionel Messi has scored 7 goals at the 2026 World Cup, making him the tournament's leading scorer and extending his all-time World Cup goals record to 19, the most in history for any male player.
Has Argentina beaten Egypt before?
Yes. Argentina and Egypt have met three times, with Argentina winning all three. Their most recent meeting was a 2-0 friendly win for Argentina in 2018.
Who does the winner of Argentina vs Egypt play next?
The winner plays the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia in the quarter-finals at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City.
Is this Messi's last World Cup?
Almost certainly yes. At 39, the 2026 World Cup is widely expected to be Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance. He is already the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 19 goals across six World Cups.
More World Cup 2026 Coverage
- Portugal vs Spain: World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Preview
- World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Full Bracket & Results
- World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Top Scorers Live
- Who Will Win the 2026 World Cup?
📌 Check back after the final whistle for our full match report. Track all results in real time on our Live Hub and Group Tracker.
✅ All statistics and results in this article were verified against FIFA.com, ESPN and official sources before publication. Published July 5, 2026.
