Leo Messi vs Lamine Yamal: Spain and Argentina could face each other in the World Cup Round of 16

The draw for the 2026 World Cup held on Friday in Washington presented an unexpected scenario for Spain and Argentina on their path to the final of a tournament where both teams arrive as main candidates for the title.

Beyond being group leaders of their respective groups, La Roja and the albiceleste could face each other much sooner than expected: in the first knockout round (round of 32). This is because **their groups (H and J) cross in the second phase**.

This would allow a showdown between Leo Messi and Lamine Yamal in the round of 32. The Flea will play in his sixth World Cup, his first as defending champion, while the current '10' of Fútbol Club Barcelona arrives at his first World Cup as the reigning European champion and in search of a second star for La Roja.

The Scenario That Would Lead to a Messi vs. Lamine in the World Cup Round of 32

To see a Leo Messi vs Lamine Yamal in the World Cup round of 32, one of the two teams would have to finish first in their group and the other second. That is to say, if Spain were to finish first in their group, they could only face Argentina in the first knockout round if the Albiceleste finished second in their group.

This last scenario is unlikely, as Lionel Scaloni's team will have a fairly accessible group on their way to the second phase. Argentina debuts against Algeria and will subsequently face Austria and Jordan.

Spain, for its part, will also have two affordable rivals in its first outings. La Roja debuts against Cape Verde and will subsequently face Saudi Arabia. The last group stage match for the National Team will be against Uruguay, which could lead to a Río de la Plata derby between the 'charrúas' and Argentinians in the round of 16.

Failing that, if Argentina tops their group and Spain finishes second in Group H, Luis de la Fuente's team would face the reigning world champions for a spot in the round of 16. If La Roja tops their zone, their opponent in the round of 32 will be **Austria, Algeria, or Jordan**

✅ There would be a Spain-Argentina match in the World Cup round of 16 if:

1. 👉 Spain finishes first in group H and Argentina second in group J. The match would be played on July 2, 2026, in Los Angeles.

2. 👉 Argentina finishes first in group L and Spain second in group H. The match would be played on July 3, 2026, in Miami.

Spain and Argentina would only meet in the final if they top their groups

Given the composition of both groups (H and J), logic suggests that both Spain and Argentina will advance to the next phase as group leaders. Thus, the two teams would be placed on opposite sides of the bracket and would only face each other in a hypothetical final on July 19 in New York.

Spain, in the round of 16, would await the winner between the second-place team in group K and the second-place team in group L. In that regard, their opponent could be Portugal, Colombia, England, or Croatia, these four favorites to finish first and second in both groups.

Argentina, for its part, would face in the round of 16 the winner of the tie between the second in Group D (in theory **the United States or Paraguay**) and the second in Group G (**Belgium or Egypt**, the favorites).

The Finalissima, the other stage to see Lamine Yamal against Leo Messi

Beyond the World Cup, the possibility of seeing a Leo Messi vs Lamine Yamal match in the Finalissima prior to the main competition organized by FIFA is also on the table. **UEFA and CONMEBOL** have yet to define the date and venue for the tournament that pits the champions of the last European Championship and Copa América against each other, but various rumors point to **March 27 in Qatar** as the most likely scenario.

Spain and Argentina, in this way, would define the champion of the tournament which, in its first edition (2022), had Argentina as champion. The Albiceleste thrashed Italy (3-0) at Wembley before the Qatar World Cup, where the South Americans also took the title.

Both teams view the match favorably, but Argentina would be demanding financial compensation, which has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. This would be the first time Messi and Lamine face each other, in an unbeatable setting prior to a World Cup where both teams arrive as title contenders.