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ARLINGTON, TX — Saturday may not be an easy night at the office for Jordan, which concludes its debut World Cup participation Saturday, June 26, against Argentina, one of the tournament favorites.
But despite that knowledge, Jordan midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh said, the team is thrilled to play against Lionel Messi and Co. rather than concerned about the challenge.

“Messi is one of the best players in history if not the best in history. He is the best, truly,” Al-Rawabdeh said through a translator. “Some people might say that we fear him, he is pressure (on us), but on the contrary we’re very much motivated to play against Messi and Argentina.
“They’re the best players in the world. God willing, we’ll leave our mark on this World Cup and raise the head of all Jordanians high.”

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Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)

There also is the possibility that Jordan will face Messi for only a few minutes – or not at all. Argentina goes into the final match already through as the group winner, while Jordan knows it wouldn’t be able to move on to the knockout stage even with a shock victory over the defending champions.
“We have no idea who the Argentine coach will be putting out with regards to the initial lineup. Of course, whoever the players are, the team is exceptional, and every player deserves his place in the team,” Jordan manager Jamal Sellami said through a translator. “They all dream of winning the World Cup, so no matter who the player is, he will be carrying the dream of the Argentine team.

“Of course, if Messi plays, he’s one of the best players in the world. If not, anyway, we’ll be playing against a very strong and solid team.”
Messi scored a hat trick in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria, then added a double in a 2-0 win over Austria earlier this week at Dallas Stadium, the same venue where Argentina and Jordan meet Saturday, June 27.

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Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina scores his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria at Dallas Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Francois Nel, Getty Images)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Extreme underdog, Jordan isn’t scared of Messi and Argentina. It’s all respect.
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