27/06/2026 12:14 - Deportes
Argentina's national team, known as "La Albiceleste" (the White and Sky Blues), has already secured first place in Group J with a perfect score (6 points and +5 goal difference). However, this Saturday against Jordan there's much more at stake than just the result. Head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that the legendary Lionel Messi will start on the bench, opening doors for several players to experience their World Cup debut.
The match will be played at Dallas Stadium starting at 23:00 Argentina time (UTC-3). For international viewers, this translates to 21:00 Central Time in the US.
Scaloni bets on massive rotations
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Emiliano Martínez / Juan Musso |
| RB | Gonzalo Montiel |
| CB | Nicolás Otamendi |
| CB | Marcos Senesi |
| LB | Nicolás Tagliafico |
| MF | Giuliano Simeone |
| MF | Exequiel Palacios |
| MF | Leandro Paredes |
| MF | Giovanni Lo Celso |
| FW | Julián Álvarez |
| FW | José Manuel López / Lautaro Martínez |
Jordan is making its debut in World Cups with a team known as "Al-Nashama" (The Brave). This Middle Eastern nation, home to approximately 11 million people, borders Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Its most famous tourist attraction is Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, an ancient city carved into rose-red cliffs.
The Asian team is already mathematically eliminated after losing 3-1 to Austria and 2-1 to Algeria. However, the coaching staff views this match as part of a long-term project toward the 2027 Asian Cup.
Humanitarian Context: Jordan has welcomed over 3 million refugees from neighboring war-torn countries, demonstrating enormous generosity despite limited resources.
Argentina already knows its opponent in the Round of 32: Cape Verde, which made history by qualifying for a World Cup knockout stage for the first time after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia.
This will be the first official meeting between Argentina and Cape Verde in history. The Blue Sharks (nickname of the African national team) qualified with three draws and zero goal difference.
If Argentina keeps a clean sheet against Jordan, they would equal the achievement of France 1998: completing the group stage with a perfect record and no goals conceded. In this World Cup, only Mexico has achieved this mark.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 on June 24, is the all-time World Cup top scorer with 18 goals and holds 4 Guinness World Records. The captain has scored all 5 of Argentina's goals in the tournament so far.
Sources:
Alfredo S. Quiroga
