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 finally 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?
How have Messi and Ronaldo fared at the 2026 World Cup?
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. Messi scored a free kick as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in their last match in Group J.
After topping their group, Argentina faced Cape Verde, beating them 3-2, with Messi once again on the scoresheet. Argentina will now face Egypt in the round of 16.
Ronaldo's Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo but then strolled to a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, with Ronaldo scoring a brace. In their last group game, they drew 0-0 vs Colombia.
Portugal thus finished second in Group K. They narrowly beat Croatia 2-1 in the round-of-32, a game defined by a huge VAR call that denied Croatia a last-gasp equaliser in injury time and will face Spain in the round of 16,
How can they play each other in the knockouts?
As Portugal finished second in their group, the blockbuster Argentina vs. Portugal quarterfinal is off the table.
With the bracket structured as it is, the two teams are on opposite sides and that means the only way the duo could play each other at a World Cup is if they meet in the final.
How have Messi and Ronaldo fared at previous 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. He then broke that record by scoring two goals against Austria.
Having scored three more goals since the Austria game, Messi has now score 20 goals at World Cups -- more than any other player in the competition's history.
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 11 World Cup goals, he will need something extraordinary to surpass Messi's 20 and Klose and Kylian Mbappé's 18, 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.