Argentina vs. Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have never faced off in a World Cup. With both soccer icons nearing the end of their careers on the pitch, many are wondering what it would take for the two to meet in this tournament.
This would require an unexpectedly poor performance from Argentina in the group stage. They would need to finish third in their group while Portugal would need to finish first. Even then, Portugal could face a third-place team from one of four other groups, depending on how the third-place teams are seeded.
When it’s most likely to happen: Quarterfinals
Argentina vs. France
Brazil vs. Germany
The Americans advanced to the round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup, only to be knocked out by the Netherlands in a dominant 3-1 win for the European squad. The U.S. National Team is looking to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, and the team that knocked them out of the tournament 20 years after that could be standing in their way again four years later.
How early it could happen: Round of 32
This is once again highly unlikely to happen, but still possible. The only way these two countries could face off in the first knockout round is if the U.S. wins its group and the Netherlands finishes third in their group. The Dutch side is heavily favored to win its group and will likely not slip to third.
When it's most likely to happen: Quarterfinals
While there is one specific way for the countries to meet in the round of 16, it requires both of them to finish as runners-up in their respective groups. It's much more likely that the Netherlands wins its group. If it does and the U.S. finishes second, the two teams would face off in the quarterfinals, provided they each take care of business in their first two knockout stage matches. They would also meet in the quarterfinals if the U.S. wins its group, the Netherlands finishes second and both advance.
If the two teams being billed as favorites to win this World Cup meet in this tournament, it could set up a true heavyweight matchup. These two teams could face each other in the final, but there are some scenarios where they meet earlier.
How early it could happen: Round of 16
The only way these teams would play each other in the round of 16 is if Spain or France finishes third in its group. If one of them slips that far down the table and the other wins its group, then both win their round of 32 matches, there is a chance they face off in the round of 16. However, it would take one of the most shocking group stage results in World Cup history to actually happen.
When it's most likely to happen: Semifinals
While there are a couple of ways the teams could play each other in the quarterfinals, both require at least one of them to fail to win its group. Since both are heavily favored to win their groups, the semifinals are most likely to be the round for a matchup. If both teams win their groups and their first three knockout matches, they would face each other in a high-stakes semifinal match. There is also a possibility they face off if both finish second in their groups, but that is much less likely to occur.
Ultimately, the World Cup is defined by the core memories it leaves behind. They’re the moments that transcend sport and become permanent fixtures of global pop culture. Whether it's a poetic showdown between icons like Messi and Ronaldo, an intense rematch of the 2022 final, or a brutal narrative of redemption, these potential matchups represent the absolute peak of international football drama. If history is any indication, the 2026 tournament will write its own script, and whatever combinations hit the pitch will only add to the enduring magic that makes the World Cup one of the greatest spectacles on Earth.
MORE FIFA WORLD CUP NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
FOX 13 named official broadcast partner for Seattle Center’s 39-day World Cup Fan CelebrationÂ
Seattle Soccer Celebration Barge arrives in Elliott Bay ahead of FIFA World CupÂ
Where to watch FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle and Washington
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
