Argentina and Egypt meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 on 7 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. Argentina topped their group while conceding almost nothing, whereas Egypt arrive after one win and two draws in the group stage before beating Australia on penalties. For Egypt, reaching the last eight would be a historic first, whereas for Argentina it's about keeping Lionel Messi's potential final major tournament alive.
Neither side had an easy ride in the last round, with Argentina needing extra time to see off Cape Verde and Egypt going the full penalty distance against Australia, so fatigue is a real factor going in.
Lionel Scaloni has been in charge since 2018 with his contract running through the end of 2026 and extension talks ongoing. He delivered the 2022 World Cup and has since built a side that's difficult to unsettle without the ball. Hossam Hassan, Egypt's former all time top scorer, took over in February 2024 and has organised the squad to sit compact and release Salah in transition. The two haven't faced each other before, making this their first meeting under knockout pressure.
Argentina have been relentless throughout, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1 in the group stage before seeing off Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in the last 32, with Messi driving most of it and operating in the spaces between Egypt's likely midfield and defence.
Egypt have been hard to beat rather than spectacular. A 1-1 with Belgium, a 1-1 with Iran and a 3-1 win over New Zealand set up the knockout tie against Australia, which finished 1-1 before Egypt edged through on penalties. Mohamed Salah means a team can't simply push Egypt back and expect to stay safe on the break.
Argentina have minor concerns after extra time, with Nico Gonzalez and Facundo Medina both picking up knocks against Cape Verde, though neither absence looks likely to derail the starting lineup significantly. The bigger question is how Messi holds up across a third consecutive match with heavy defensive attention.
Egypt are dealing with more significant losses, with Ahmed Fatouh and Mohamed Abdelmoneim out, Karim Hafez doubtful and Mohanad Lasheen having served an earlier suspension. Salah has been managing a hamstring issue but is fit and expected to start.
Argentina are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with Emiliano Martinez in goal, Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Medina or Tagliafico in defence and De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and Mac Allister in midfield behind Messi, Lautaro Martinez or Alvarez and Almada. Egypt will probably go 4-2-3-1 with Shobeir in goal, a back four including Hany and Rabia or Ibrahim, Ashour and Attia or Fathy shielding in midfield and Salah and Ziko or others supporting Marmoush up front.
Argentina want the ball and build around possession and set pieces, using experience to control matches rather than just win them. Egypt's answer is to sit compact, frustrate and look for Salah to do something on the counter. The interesting battles will be harder to forecast: whether Messi finds pockets against an organised backline, whether Salah gets space to hurt Argentina on the break and whether Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez can win the midfield against Ashour and Attia.
Argentina's depth gives Scaloni meaningful substitutes if the game stays tight into the second half, Hassan has fewer options. Egypt will need to stay organised for 90 minutes and wait for a set piece or transition and they came closer to that against Australia than the scoreline suggests given that Argentina still needed extra time to get past Cape Verde.
There's barely any history between these sides, with Argentina's 2-0 friendly win in 2008 and a possible draw in one other meeting about all there is to go on and their strong record against African sides at World Cups adds little that's useful here.
Argentina 1-0 Egypt. Egypt haven't conceded more than once in any match and will set up to make this one the same but Argentina's possession control and Messi's creativity should be enough to find a winner. Salah on the break against a high Argentina line is a genuine danger and Cape Verde created enough to score twice but Argentina have barely been breached throughout the tournament and there's no obvious reason that changes against a depleted Egyptian squad. A 1-0 to Argentina, ground out rather than comfortable.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
