Messi faces Salah as Argentina meet Egypt in World Cup 2026 last 16 in Atlanta

Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah headline one of the most star-studded last-16 ties of World Cup 2026, as Argentina face Egypt in Atlanta with a quarter-final place at stake.

Messi, who turned 39 last month, has been in remarkable form throughout the tournament, scoring seven goals in four matches as he leads the defending champions’ bid to retain the trophy. His opponent in the opposite dugout is Egypt captain Salah, 34, who has played a key role in guiding the Pharaohs through the group stage — a first for the nation — and then past Australia in the last 32, another historic milestone.

The winner will advance to face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals, with that last-eight match scheduled to kick off at 2am BST on Sunday.

The match kicks off at 5pm BST, with Mark Pougatch presenting coverage from ITV’s studio in Brooklyn, New York. He is joined on the panel by Ian Wright, Gary Neville, and Roy Keane.

Wright, a former Arsenal striker who scored 185 goals for the club and earned 33 England caps, never appeared at a major tournament due to injury. Neville, who won 85 caps for England across three European Championships and two World Cups, has established himself as one of the leading voices in football punditry. Completing the trio is Keane, Neville’s former Manchester United captain, who represented the Republic of Ireland at World Cup 1994 before his infamous departure from their 2002 camp following a dispute with manager Mick McCarthy.

Jon Champion provides commentary from the gantry, partnered once again by Ally McCoist, who played for Scotland at World Cup 1990.