Call it the battle of the number tens. Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah, two of the finest forwards of their generation, lead their countries into an Atlanta World Cup knockout tie that both sides very nearly did not reach. Argentina survived a genuine scare against Cape Verde, needing an own goal deep into extra time. Egypt made history of their own, winning a penalty shootout to reach the knockout stage for the first time ever. Only a place in the quarter-finals separates the defending champions from the biggest underdog story left in the draw. Here is how to watch Argentina vs Egypt, the kick-off time where you are, the lineups and our prediction.
Kickoff is 12:00 PM ET on Tuesday, July 7 / 5:00 PM in the UK at Atlanta Stadium, a noon local start. In the US it is on Fox. In Britain it is free on ITV1, with streaming on ITVX.
Where to Watch Argentina vs Egypt
Free on ITV1 in the UK. In the US it is on Fox.
Quick tip: in the UK this is free on ITV1 and ITVX, with the game also available on BBC iPlayer. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time. In the US it is on Fox, plus Fubo and Peacock.
Argentina vs Egypt TV Channel and Live Stream
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The Road to the Round of 16
Argentina won Group J with a perfect record before a brutal scare in the last round. Egypt finished second in Group G and then made history of their own. Every final group table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
ArgentinaEgyptThe winner advances to the quarter-finals in Kansas City to face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia. If level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
Messi's Record Chase Meets Egypt's Fairytale
Argentina should not need reminding how close they came to elimination last time out. Cape Verde had them on the ropes for two hours in Miami, and it took an own goal in the 111th minute, twelve minutes from full time, to spare the defending champions the greatest shock in World Cup knockout history. Lionel Messi scored again that night, taking his all-time World Cup tally to 20 and becoming the first player ever to score in eight consecutive World Cup appearances, though he later admitted he was tired and frustrated that Argentina could not press higher up the pitch. He arrives in Atlanta locked with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at seven goals for this tournament's Golden Boot, with Mbappe leading only on assists. One more goal here would put Messi outright top of that race and level Guillermo Stabile's 1930 record of eight goals in a single World Cup for Argentina.
Egypt do not need any embellishment either. Reaching the knockout stage for the first time since their tournament debut in 1934 was already history, and beating Australia on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes made it a first ever World Cup knockout win too. Mohamed Salah played every minute of that gruelling contest despite a hamstring concern, converted a cheeky Panenka in the shootout, and was in tears afterwards, calling it one of the best days of his life. Head coach Hossam Hassan put it simply: this run has made 120 million people back home happy. Salah and the returning Omar Marmoush give Egypt genuine quality on the counter, even if their defence has ridden its luck, conceding only four goals from an expected total closer to five and a half.
There is history working both ways here too. Argentina go into this on an eight-game winning run against African nations at World Cups, having already beaten Algeria and Cape Verde this tournament, and a win would make them the first side ever to beat three African teams in a single edition. But their only World Cup group-stage defeat to an African nation came against Cameroon back in 1990, a reminder that these fixtures carry more danger than rankings suggest, and this will be the first ever World Cup meeting between Argentina and Egypt, their only previous game a 2008 friendly Argentina won 2-0.
Egypt will sit deep, double up on Messi where they can, and look to spring Salah and Emam Ashour on the counter, exactly the approach that so nearly worked for Cape Verde. Argentina's class across the pitch, and their evident hunger to avoid a repeat of that near-miss, should be enough over 90 minutes, even if 12 minutes from history feels closer than anyone in the Argentina camp would like. Expect a cagier game than the scoreline gap suggests, with Messi's quality eventually the difference.
How They Might Line Up
Argentina have Nicolas Gonzalez (ankle) and Nahuel Molina's Medina (discomfort) as doubts; Lautaro Martinez, who lasted only an hour last time out, could make way for Julian Alvarez. Egypt are without the injured Fatouh and El Fotouh, with Salah expected to start centrally behind Marmoush after his marathon 120 minutes against Australia.
ARGENTINA Β· Scaloni Β· 4-4-2E Martinez Β· Molina, Romero (c), L Martinez, Tagliafico Β· De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada Β· Messi, Lautaro Martinez
EGYPT Β· Hassan Β· 4-2-3-1Shobeir Β· Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Rabia, Hafez Β· Fathy, Attia Β· Ashour, Salah (c), Zico Β· Marmoush
Messi or Salah, Who Prevails?
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A Word on Atlanta Stadium
Better known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFLβs Atlanta Falcons, this venue is known as Atlanta Stadium during the World Cup and features a distinctive retractable roof and a 360-degree halo video display. It has hosted Super Bowl LIII and the Club World Cup, and stages its eighth and final match of this tournament, a semi-final, on July 15, a game that could yet feature the winner of this tie. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
There is barely any history here. The sides have met just once, a friendly in Cairo in 2008 that Argentina won 2-0. This is the first ever World Cup meeting between Argentina and Egypt.
Argentina vs Egypt: Quick Answers
What time does Argentina vs Egypt kick off?
Noon Eastern in the US, which is 9am on the West Coast. In the UK it is 5pm BST, in Buenos Aires 1pm, and in Cairo 7pm. The date is Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
What channel is Argentina vs Egypt on in the US?
Fox has the broadcast. You can also stream it via Fubo and Peacock.
Is Argentina vs Egypt free to watch in the UK?
Yes. It is live and free on ITV1, with free streaming via ITVX, and also available on BBC iPlayer.
How many World Cup goals does Messi have?
Twenty all-time, an outright record, including seven at this tournament, tied for the Golden Boot lead with Mbappe and Haaland. One more goal here would put him outright top and match Guillermo Stabile's 1930 record of eight goals in a single World Cup for Argentina.
Why is this such a big deal for Egypt?
Egypt reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since their debut in 1934, and beating Australia on penalties gave them their first ever World Cup knockout win. Every match from here is uncharted territory for Egyptian football.
What happens if it is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a knockout tie, so a draw means 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shootout if the teams are still level, similar to how Egypt progressed past Australia in the previous round.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner of Argentina vs Egypt advances to the quarter-finals in Kansas City to face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia.
What is the prediction?
We lean towards Argentina, around 2-0, given their squad depth and Messi's extraordinary form. Egypt have already produced one shock this tournament and Cape Verde showed Argentina can be got at, so a repeat is not impossible.
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