A record-breaking sixth World Cup for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could finally see the two greatest footballing rivals of our time go head-to-head on the biggest stage of all.
Considering their age, and current teams (at Inter Miami and Al Nassr, respectively), this could well be their last chance to play each other at a World Cup (with the full disclaimer that you can't really predict anything when it comes to these two).
The 2026 World Cup, though, could be the edition where the two finally face off in a competitive fixture wearing their nations' colours. But just when could they play against each other?
What are Messi and Ronaldo's World Cup fixtures?
Messi scored a hat trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their first game then added two more in a 2-0 win against Austria. They next play Jordan (June 27) in Group J.
If they top this group they will face the second-placed finishers of Group H (Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia) on July 4 in the round of 32.
Ronaldo's Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo but then strolled to a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, with Ronaldo scoring a brace. Their last group game is against Colombia on June 27.
Much like Argentina, they were expected to top the group. They will have to beat Colombia, who currently top of Group K, to do so but if they do, the bracket puts them up against a third placed finisher (from one of groups D/E/I/J/L) on July 4.
How can they play each other in the knockouts?
There is one simple answer to this: top their groups and win both their matches in the round of 32 match and round of 16, and we'll be set for a blockbuster Argentina vs. Portugal quarterfinal.
With the bracket structured as it is, that feels like a realistic scenario, with the toughest on-paper opponent for Argentina likely to be Uruguay in the round of 32, while Portugal would not be expected to face a major contender until that potential quarterfinal.
If, however, they both finish second in their respective groups, it could get more dramatic... They could possibly clash in the round of 16. That is, if they win their round of 32 tie, of course -- and that would be a considerably tougher prospect considering their potential opponents (Argentina would likely face Spain; Portugal's likely opponents would be Croatia).
Considering the size of the World Cup, there also remains the possibility of a 'Last Dance' in the final -- if one of the teams were to top their group and the other were to finish second, then their mazy route would take them to the final, via some challenging fixtures.
How have Messi and Ronaldo fared at World Cups?
Messi, 38, has, of course, won the World Cup in the last edition. With a losing final in 2014 to add to that, his World Cup record is far superior to 41-year-old Ronaldo's, whose best remains the semifinal appearance in his debut tournament (2006).
What records can they break in the 2026 World Cup?
Messi broke the record for the most World Cup appearances (six) in Argentina's first game of 2026 against Algeria. His hat trick against Algeria tied Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals.
Messi took his goal contributions at World Cups to 24 against Algeria, he was previously tied on 21 with the great Pelé.
Messi already holds the record for most World Cup matches played (27) and World Cup minutes (2,393) -- both of which are records he took from Paolo Maldini in Qatar.
With the opening goal against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo became the first man to score in six different World Cups.
Ronaldo may not have as many World Cup records to his name, but if Messi and Argentina were to slip up early and Portugal remained through the tournament, both match and minutes played records could be up for grabs. Currently on 10 World Cup goals, he will need something extraordinary to surpass Messi's 18 and Klose and Kylian Mbappé's 16, though.
On the larger picture international football front, Ronaldo remains top of the pack. He has made the most appearances (230) and scored the most goals (145) across men's international football; and will look to extend both records this summer. Meanwhile, Messi has the second-most goals with 119 (from 199 caps).
Outside of international football, what is their head-to-head like?
Across 35 club matches (almost of them coming at Barcelona and Real Madrid), Messi has won 16 times, Ronaldo 10 (nine draws) with Messi and Ronaldo both scoring 22 goals.
Oh, and they share a win each, and a goal each in their two international fixtures.