Argentina Faces Egypt in 2026 World Cup Round of 16

Venue and Broadcast Details

Argentina takes on Egypt today at Atlanta Stadium, the neutral site that replaced the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium name due to FIFA sponsorship rules. Kickoff is set for noon ET, with Fox carrying the English broadcast and Telemundo handling the Spanish feed. Viewers can stream the match on Fox One, the Fox Sports app, Peacock, Fubo, DirectTV Stream and SlingTV.

Team Form and Storylines

On paper the matchup looks lopsided. Argentina rolled through the group phase, with Lionel Messi becoming the all‑time World Cup scorer after netting a hat‑trick against Algeria and adding two more goals versus Austria. He is now the favorite for the Golden Boot despite a bumpy knockout performance, having needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3‑2 in the previous round.

Egypt, meanwhile, has rewritten its own history. The Pharaohs advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 1934, dispatching Australia on penalties. Coach Hossam Hassan relies on a disciplined defence and looks to Mohamed Salah to pinpoint Messi in what could be Salah’s lone chance to face the Argentine captain in this tournament.

What’s at Stake

A win sends Argentina into a quarter‑final showdown with either Switzerland or Colombia. The victors would advance to a historic back‑to‑back title run, something no team has achieved since Brazil captured championships in 1958 and 1962. Egypt, if upset, would still claim a landmark appearance in the modern era.

Key Matchups

The spotlight centers on Messi versus Salah, two of the tournament’s most potent attackers. Argentina’s defence must tighten after allowing late blows in earlier matches, while Egypt will look to exploit any lapses with quick counters. Both sides also carry the weight of national expectations—Hwang’s side aiming for glory, Egypt seeking to cement a new era in Egyptian football.

Memorable World Cup Moments

Below are standout images from the 2026 World Cup that capture the tournament’s intensity.