Argentina had already secured a place in the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup by beating Austria with a brace from Lionel Messi. Algeria’s subsequent win over Jordan then also confirmed top spot in Group J for the reigning world champions. As a result, Argentina will meet the runner-up of Group H in the last 32.
Now there is just one question: who will Messi’s side face — Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia?
Each team in Group H still has one match left. In the final round, Spain play Uruguay and Cape Verde face Saudi Arabia, and the results of these two matches will decide Argentina’s next opponent.
As things stand, Cape Verde are the most-discussed likely opponent. If the small African nation can beat Saudi Arabia and Spain beat Uruguay in their match, Spain will top the group and Cape Verde will finish as runner-up to face Argentina.
If, on the other hand, Spain lose to Uruguay, the equation could change. In that case, depending on the result of the Cape Verde-Saudi match, Spain themselves could finish as runner-up, and the two-time world champions would then face Messi’s side in the knockout round.
Saudi Arabia also have a chance. If they beat Cape Verde and Spain beat Uruguay at the same time, the Saudis could finish as runner-up — and Messi’s side could once again meet the Saudi Arabia who stunned Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
The most complex equation, though, is around Uruguay. If Uruguay beat Spain and Cape Verde also beat Saudi Arabia at the same time, the runner-up will be decided on goal difference. The two sides currently have the same goal difference; if that remains level, goals scored will be considered, and if that too is level, the fair-play record will be taken into account.
So all four teams’ names are still on the list of Argentina’s possible opponents, though by current standing Cape Verde are the most likely. With the two final-round matches being played at the same time, however, the whole picture could change in an instant. The final Group H matches therefore carry equal importance not just for those four teams but for the Argentina camp too.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report