The possibility of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi face each other for the first time in a World Cup has gained momentum again with the draw for the schedule and format for 2026. Although both have participated in five tournaments without ever playing against each other, the next tournament, which will be held between June 11 and July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, opens a concrete window for the duel to happen.

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That clash, so desired by football fans for more than a decade, will depend on the performance of Portugal and Argentina in the group stage. Both will arrive at the World Cup as the natural leaders of their national teams: Cristiano will be 40 and Messi 38, adding an emotional component to the possibility of a "last dance."

How they could meet… and what would have to happen to prevent it

If both teams finish first in their groups, the schedule would see Portugal and Argentina face each other in the quarterfinals, scheduled for July 11 in Kansas City. Portugal is in Group K along with Uzbekistan, Colombia, and a yet-to-be-determined opponent from the international playoff between New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Argentina, meanwhile, will compete in Group J against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.

However, the potential matchup doesn't depend solely on this scenario. A slight change in the results could bring the clash forward.

For example, if Portugal advances as group winner and Argentina as one of the best third-placed teams, the matchup would occur much earlier: the round of 32 on July 3, also in Kansas City. There is another scenario. If both finish second and advance past the round of 32, the encounter would be in the round of 16, on July 6 in Dallas. However, if Argentina finishes first and Portugal second, the only chance of seeing them face each other would be in the final. Past results show how elusive this possibility has been.In Germany 2006, they would only have met in the final. In South Africa 2010, the clash could have occurred in the semifinals, but Spain eliminated Portugal in the round of 16 and Germany knocked out Argentina in the quarterfinals. In Brazil 2014, Portugal's elimination in the group stage erased any chance. Russia 2018 was the closest edition: if both had won their round of 16 matches, they would have met in the quarterfinals, but Uruguay and France prevented it. Qatar 2022 offered one last opportunity in the final, although Portugal fell to Morocco in the quarterfinals.