Defending champions Argentina will face Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on July 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The matchup pits Lionel Messi against Mohamed Salah, two of the most recognizable athletes on the planet, and it’s already sending ripples through the crypto sports economy.
How both teams got here
Argentina punched their ticket to the knockout round with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde on July 3. Messi netted his 20th career World Cup goal in the process.
Egypt took a more nerve-shredding path. They advanced past Australia in a penalty shootout on the same day, securing only their second-ever trip to the World Cup’s elimination rounds.
The fan token angle
