Lionel Messi’s Upcoming World Cup Match and Argentina’s 2026 Schedule

When Does Lionel Messi Play Next in the 2026 World Cup?

Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, is back on the world stage for a record sixth World Cup appearance. This time, the tournament takes place across North America, and the 39-year-old star looks to add to his legacy.

Argentina narrowly defeated Egypt in the Round of 16, setting up a quarterfinal clash against Switzerland. That match is scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at 9 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

How to Watch Messi and Argentina’s Matches

In the US, FOX holds the English-language broadcast rights for all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Most games will air on FOX or its sister channel FS1. For Spanish-speaking fans, Peacock streams every match live, while Telemundo and Universo handle the TV coverage.

Streaming options include fubo (which offers a free trial), FOX One, and the FOX Sports app. Every Argentina match can be caught live through these platforms.

Messi’s Legacy and This World Cup

After chasing World Cup glory for years, Lionel Messi finally lifted the trophy in Qatar 2022. He scored seven goals and assisted three times, earning player of the tournament honors. His two goals in the final helped Argentina win on penalties after a stunning 3-3 draw with France.

This year, as he nears 40, Messi aims to guide Argentina deep once more. Coach Lionel Scaloni has kept many veterans from the previous triumph as they pursue back-to-back titles. We think this might be Messi’s last World Cup run, making each game even more compelling.