Argentina's Lionel Messi and Egypt's Mohamed Salah are set to meet in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Argentina and Egypt will face off on July 8 at 1 a.m. KST at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, USA, in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals to meet the victor of the Switzerland-Colombia match.
Argentina holds a significant advantage in terms of overall strength. According to FIFA's men's world rankings released on June 11, Argentina is ranked first, while Egypt is in 29th place. The disparity in player market value is also substantial. According to the transfer market website Transfermarkt, the total market value of the Argentina national team is €807.5 million (approximately $1.27 billion), while Egypt's is €116.48 million (about $183 million). In terms of player value alone, Argentina's is nearly seven times that of Egypt.
Argentina topped Group J with three wins in the group stage and defeated Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32. Although they secured a victory, the match against debutant Cape Verde revealed some vulnerabilities for the title contenders.
Egypt advanced to the knockout stage as the second place in Group G, earning five points from draws against Belgium and Iran and a win over New Zealand. In the Round of 32, Egypt drew 1-1 with Australia and won 4-2 in a penalty shootout. This victory is significant for Egyptian football, marking the first time the nation has won a match in the World Cup knockout stage.
The most anticipated matchup is between Messi and Salah. At 39 years old, Messi is tied for the tournament's top scorer with seven goals alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. If he scores against Egypt, he could take the lead and become the first Argentine player to score eight goals in a single tournament since Guillermo Stábile in 1930.
Egypt's Salah has also been a key player, despite dealing with a hamstring issue. He played the full 120 minutes against Australia in the Round of 32 and scored in the penalty shootout with a Panenka kick. In four matches this tournament, Salah has recorded one goal, two assists, and created 16 chances, playing a central role in Egypt's attack.
This match represents another pivotal moment in Salah's career. While he has been recognized as a world-class forward at the club level, he has faced disappointment with the national team, including memories of World Cup near misses and a loss in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Leading Egypt to its first-ever World Cup knockout victory could change the narrative for his national team career.
While Argentina's overall team value is overwhelming, Salah's current market value is higher than Messi's. According to Transfermarkt, Salah is valued at €22 million, while Messi is at €15 million. This valuation reflects factors such as age, contract situation, league, and career outlook rather than a direct comparison of skill.
If Argentina wins, they will continue their quest for a second consecutive title as defending champions. Should Egypt defeat Argentina, they would become the fifth African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, following Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Morocco.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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