Argentina
World CupWhy this tip?
We predicted both teams to find the back of the net in Egypt’s Round of 32 tie with Australia, and despite Argentina’s dominance at this year’s World Cup, I can see Egypt finding the back of the net on the counter. However, I doubt they can cause an upset for the reigning FIFA World Cup champions, and I expect La Albiceleste to qualify in regulation time, defeating The Pharaohs 2-1.
Match Preview
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Matchday: Last 16
- Date: 07 July 2026
- Kick-off time: 12:00 USA (18:00 SA)
- Venue: Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Match details
The Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) hosts the Round of 16 tie between Argentina and Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. The match is set to commence at 12:00 (GMT-4) in Atlanta, Georgia and 18:00 (GMT+2) in South Africa. We are in the midst of the action of the Knockout rounds at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and if you want more analyses of the knockout matches happening at the FIFA World Cup, head over to our Topbets World Cup predictions page.
Why this match matters
Argentina started off the knock phase of the defence of their World Cup crown with a nervy 3 – 2 win against Cabo Verde (AET), while Egypt went the distance against Australia and won on penalties. The Round of 16 marks uncharted territory for Egypt and is the biggest stage Egypt has reached at a FIFA World Cup. However, standing in their way is an Argentinian side that Egypt has never scored against.
Argentina will be looking to avoid a major upset and continue their trajectory to defend their World Cup title. This encounter also features two of the most recognisable faces in world football, Lionel Messi and Mohammed Salah, as they lead their national teams and reignite their feud.
Argentina vs Egypt head-to-head stats
Head-to-head record
Argentina and Egypt have met twice in their history, with their first ever encounter occurring nearly a century ago at the 1928 Olympic Games. Argentina leads the head-to-head with two victories (2 – 0 – 0). In their two encounters, Argentina has scored eight times, while Egypt are yet to find the back of the net. Their two matches included the following details:
- 26/03/2008 (Friendly International): Egypt 0 – 2 Argentina
- 06/06/1928 (1928 Olympic Games): Argentina 6 – 0 Egypt
Argentina’s recent form
Argentina’s last five matches: WWWWD–
Argentina are in great form heading into their Round of 16 game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their last five matches were against:
- 04/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Argentina 3 – 2 Cabo Verde (AET)
- 28/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Jordan 1 – 3 Argentina
- 22/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Argentina 2 – 0 Austria
- 17/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Argentina 3 – 0 Algeria
- 10/06/2026 (Friendly International): Argentina 3 – 0 Iceland
Argentina has been in exceptional form since winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is undefeated in their last 11 outings (10 wins, 1 draw). They won the Copa America and topped the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualification group, and went on an eight-game winning run heading into the World Cup, culminating with a massive win over Iceland.
Argentina continued their fine form into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, winning all three group matches against Algeria, Austria and Jordan. They escaped with a late winner in the Round of 32 encounter with Cabo Verde, which saw them edge out 3 – 2 winners after extra time)
In their last five outings, Argentina has scored 12 goals in regulation time while conceding just twice. Two matches had both teams score, and three matches ended with over 2.5 goals. From watching their matches, I have noticed that they are a solid defensive unit with eight clean sheets in their last ten outings, but they can become complacent, as their recent showing against Cabo Verde proves they can have a bad day at the back.
Egypt’s recent form
Egypt’s last five matches: LDWDD–
Egypt enters their last 16 tie in average form, having won one, drawn three and lost once in their last five outings. Their last five matches were against:
- 03/07/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Australia 1 – 1 Egypt (Egypt won 4 – 2 on Penalties)
- 27/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Egypt 1 – 1 Iran
- 22/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): New Zealand 1 – 3 Egypt
- 15/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Belgium 1 – 1 Egypt
- 07/06/2026 (Friendly International): Brazil 2 – 1 Egypt
Egypt was not in good form heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having won only two of their six matches before the tournament. However, they had started their World Cup campaign off well, picking up a draw in their opener to Belgium, before claiming their first-ever FIFA World Cup win. However, a draw with Iran saw them concede top spot to Belgium on goal difference.
Egypt managed to win their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout tie against Australia, winning on penalties and will now look to advance to the next round by defeating reigning champions Argentina. Egypt’s last five matches all featured both teams scoring, with two of those matches having over 2.5 goals. Egypt has scored 7 goals and conceded 6 times in their last five matches.
Despite Egypt’s shortcomings, they are a good outfit and have performed reasonably well at the World Cup despite only picking up the solitary win. Their never-say-die attitude will be put to the test against a rampant Argentine side spearheaded by joint-leading goalscorer Lionel Messi.
Team news
Argentina team news
Injuries: Facundo Medina (Cramp)
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: I am excited to see Lionel Messi dazzle once more as he leads the Golden Boot race. He serves as the primary outlet to Argentina’s attack, utilising his elite 1v1 dribbling and creative wizardry as the focal point of Argentina’s attack. Christian Romero anchors the Argentinian backline and is a source of goals in their set-pieces. Lautaro Martínez partners Messi up top and serves as the target man for Argentina. He may not have scored many goals for Argentina, but his ability to draw in central defenders is vital in opening up spaces for Messi to exploit. Alexis Mac Allister is the main player in the Argentinian engine room, dominating possession and will be vital in dictating the tempo of the game, alongside Enzo Fernandez, from the centre of the pitch. Emiliano Martínez will be crucial in stopping Egypt’s threats at goal. His shot-stopping performances have got Argentina to the last 16, and he will need to be on his game to stop a clinical Egyptian attack.
Egypt team news
Injuries: Ahmed Fatouh (Thigh Injury), Ahmed Hafez (Doubt) & Mohamed Abdelmonem (Ankle Injury)
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: Captain Mohamed Salah leads Egypt’s attack and is their talismanic winger. He is Egypt’s primary outlet in attack and has been instrumental to Egypt’s charge by creating crucial threats on goal. Ahmed Hafez anchors the Egyptian backline, and he is fundamental to their attack. If fit, his rapid pace and overlapping runs will stretch the Argentinian defence, creating chances and opening it up for the attack. Emam Ashour’s 1v1 dribbling and close control make him difficult to dispossess. He is Egypt’s top scorer at the World Cup and makes great use of the spaces in the middle to link the midfield and attack. Mostafa Shobeir has been pivotal to Egypt’s run in the World Cup and pulled off some incredible saves. I expect him to replicate the world-class saves he made throughout the tournament if Egypt wants to stop Argentina. Omar Marmoush partners with Salah upfront and is critical to the Egyptian counterattack by offering blistering pace to exploit spaces left by the defence.
Predicted lineups
Argentina predicted XI
I have picked up that Lionel Scaloni looks to control spaces by employing a highly compact defensive structure off the ball, aiming to win the ball back as quickly as possible before offloading to Lionel Messi. Messi will either be used as a quarterback with Martínez as the target man up top or use his elite 1v1 dribbling to bypass the compact Egyptian defence. We predict the La Albiceleste to use the 4-4-2 formation with their starting XI featuring:
Emiliano Martínez (G) – Marcos Llorente – Cristian Romero – Lisandro Martínez – Nicolás Tagliafico – Rodrigo De Paul – Alexis Mac Allister – Enzo Fernández – Thiago Almada – Lionel Messi (C) – Lautaro Martínez.
Egypt predicted XI
I have noticed that head coach Hossam Hassan has built his Egyptian side around a defensively solid low block in a 4-4-2 formation designed to suffocate space in the centre. Egypt will look to win the ball in midfield by blocking channels, which Argentina’s forwards like to exploit, and transition the ball quickly to the wings. The blistering acceleration of Salah and Marmoush will be vital in exploiting Argentina’s high-defensive line. Due to the recent injury crises, I expect a few alterations to the team that defeated Australia, and I predict the Pharaohs’ starting XI to feature:
Mostafa Shobeir (G) – Mohamed Hany (C) – Rami Rabia – Yasser Ibrahim – Hamdy Fathy – Mostafa Ziko – Marwan Attia – Mohanad Lasheen – Emam Ashour – Mohamed Salah (C) – Omar Marmoush.
Best betting markets for Argentina vs Egypt
Match winner
Prediction: Argentina to WIN @ 43/100 (1.43) at BetXchange.
Over/Under goals
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 102/100 (2.02) at BetXchange.
Both teams to score
Prediction: Both teams to score Yes @ 14/10 (2.40) at BetXchange.
Anytime goalscorer
Prediction: Lionel Messi to score anytime @ 75/100 (2.20) at BetXchange.
The Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing to a close, and for more insights into the 2026 FIFA World Cup or tips on the daily footie action, check out our Topbets Football Predictions page on our website.
Argentina vs Egypt prediction
Best bet
Prediction: Both teams to score Yes @ 14/10 (2.40) at BetXchange.
Correct score prediction
Prediction: Match to end 2 – 1 Argentina @ 9/1 (10.00) at WSB.
Match analysis and verdict
Argentina and Egypt have been in good form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will be looking to book their spot in the quarterfinals. Both sides have scored in each of their World Cup games, and I believe that they have the quality to score again in this Round of 16 encounter.
We predicted both teams to find the back of the net in Egypt’s Round of 32 tie with Australia, and despite Argentina’s dominance at this year’s World Cup, I can see Egypt finding the back of the net on the counter. However, I doubt they can cause an upset for the reigning FIFA World Cup champions, and I expect La Albiceleste to qualify in regulation time, defeating The Pharaohs 2-1.
Writer/Betting Tipster
I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!
