Will Lionel Messi, Cristiano Rolando Face Each Other in 2026 FIFA World Cup as DRAW Gives Hint

The draw for 2026 FIFA World Cup group stages was held yesterday in Washington, D.C., and we have some exciting clashes to look forward to in the first round. Defending champions Argentina have been given a fairly easy group alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J. It's worth noting that Jordan have qualified for the cup for the first time, whereas Austria are back in the mix for the first time since 1998.

The France National Football team, who have been the finalists in the last two editions of the tournament, are in an exciting group too alongside Sadio Mane's Senegal and Erling Haaland-led Norway in Group I, whereas five-time champions Brazil are in Group C with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.

Held in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the upcoming World Cup is also set to be the last one for Cristiano Ronaldo, who would be 41 by the time the championship rolls around. The Al-Nassr star has confirmed that the 2026 showpiece will be his last dance with Portugal's national team, and will be looking to start his campaign by bagging a few goals against Colombia, a side they have never faced before and debutants, Uzbekistan. The Portugal National Football Team are strong favourite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Jamaica, DR Congo and New Caledonia will be competing for a spot in Group K. On paper, the Selecao should be clinching the group, and such an event would throw up an exciting prospect in the knockout stages: Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo! Yes, Portugal vs Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a possibility, provided both nations win their groups. But at what stage could they meet? Let's find out.

Will Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo Face Each Other in 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Well, yes! Unlike the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the stars were on a collision course in the finals, perennial rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could face each other much earlier this time around. Should Argentina win Group J and Portugal win Group K, we could see Portugal vs Argentina in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. That's right, a high-stakes clash for a place in the last four of the tournament. Wouldn't that be exciting?

Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, in their last ever World Cups, play each other in the biggest tournament for the first time in their careers, which sounds like a dream prospect; a game that could break viewership records. And rightfully so, as Argentina and Portugal have never clashed in a World Cup game before.

While the GOATs have met several times in their esteemed club careers, there have been two occasions wherein they faced each other with their respective national teams, too. Back in 2011, Argentina beat Portugal 2-1 in neutral Switzerland, a game which saw both Messi and Ronaldo score for their teams. Then, in the fall of 2014, just months after the Albiceleste lost the World Cup final to Germany, the teams met in another friendly.

Portugal avenged the earlier loss with a 1-0 win, thanks to a late goal from Raphael Guerreiro. But much to the dismay of the fans, neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo truly shone on the day as both had a subdued game. However, should they clash in the World Cup next year, fans will be hoping for a more electric game with the arch-rivals heavily involved in the proceedings.