Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo quarterfinal showdown on cards as FIFA unveil World Cup 2026 schedule

LM10 and CR7

If both Argentina and Portugal top their groups and win their last-32 and last-16 fixtures, a quarterfinal meeting between Messi and Ronaldo could await.

The official schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was released on Saturday, featuring 48 nations competing across North America, and reigning champions Argentina and Portugal could be on a collision course in the quarterfinals. It opens up the possibility of a blockbuster showdown between modern-era greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in what may be their final World Cup appearance.

Messi, who will turn 39 during next summer’s tournament, has yet to confirm whether he will appear in his sixth World Cup. Argentina have been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. The 2026 edition, to be held from June 11 to July 19 across Mexico, the United States and Canada, is expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final opportunity to chase World Cup glory at the age of 40. Portugal find themselves in Group K with the winner of Play-Off Tournament 1 (DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia), Uzbekistan and Colombia.

If both Argentina and Portugal top their groups and win their last-32 and last-16 fixtures, a quarterfinal meeting between Messi and Ronaldo could await.

The FIFA World Cup schedule was announced a day after the draw ceremony at Washington, D.C., where U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney - representing the three co-hosts of the expanded tournament - were present alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The schedule, along with the venues and kickoff times, is now official for all 42 playing nations, although the entire fixture will be finalised when the remaining six participants are determined through UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs being held in March.

The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place finishers, will progress to the round of 32.

The finale is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The World Cup tournament will be held across 16 cities in North America, including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, as well as Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara in Mexico. In the United States, host cities include Atlanta, Boston (Foxborough), Dallas (Arlington), Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Inglewood), Miami (Miami Gardens), New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford), Philadelphia, San Francisco (Santa Clara) and Seattle.