Messi will not start against Jordan, Scaloni gives reserve players an opportunity.

Lionel Messi has been confirmed not to start when Argentina face Jordan in the final Group J fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium, United States, on Sunday morning WIB. Head coach Lionel Scaloni opted to rest Messi after La Albiceleste secured their spot in the Round of 32 as group winners.

Messi has been the tournament's most outstanding player so far. All five of Argentina's goals at the 2026 World Cup have been scored by the 39-year-old captain, placing him as the provisional top scorer.

Scaloni confirmed Messi will still feature in the match, just not from the opening minute. The coach has left the possibility open to bring the Inter Miami superstar on after half-time.

"Leo will be on the bench. I am not yet ready to announce the full final starting line-up, but Leo will come on to play later in the match," stated Scaloni, as quoted from FIFA's official website on Saturday.

Scaloni has room to implement squad rotation as Argentina have already locked first place in Group J. Alongside preserving the condition of core players ahead of the knockout phase, the match against Jordan is also being used to give opportunities to squad members who have received limited playing minutes.

Despite fielding a number of backup players, the 48-year-old coach emphasised that Argentina's playing identity will remain unchanged. He confirmed every player in his squad holds the quality required to uphold the team's performance standards.

"I believe when the chance comes, there are many excellent players who also deserve time on the pitch. Our philosophy is for this team to continue playing in exactly the same manner," he said.

The decision to rest Messi also forms part of the strategy to manage La Pulga's fitness. Alongside leading the 2026 World Cup goalscoring rankings with five goals, Messi now holds 18 career goals across all World Cup final tournament appearances, making him the all-time top goalscorer in the competition's history.

In the opposing camp, already eliminated Jordan are determined to close their first ever World Cup campaign with a positive result and claim their first tournament point.

Jamal Sellami, head coach of the side nicknamed Al-Nashama, is not preoccupied with Argentina's line-up. For him, the defending champions' strength does not rely solely on Messi, but on the consistent quality across every player in their squad.

"We have no idea at all what the Argentina coach will decide for his starting eleven. But regardless of which players take the field, Argentina are an exceptional team, and every single player there has earned their place in that squad," Jamal Sellami concluded.