Lamine Yamal’s first World Cup journey: Spain’s rivals and how they could avoid Messi’s Argentina until a potential final

With Lamine Yamal set to endure his first World Cup in 2026, Spain’s rival and route in the competition has been revealed, with a clash against Lionel Messi’s Argentina potentially happening early in the torunament.

Lamine Yamal will experience his first World Cup in 2026 at just 18 years old, with Spain positioned once again as a serious contender to lift the trophy after their triumph in South Africa in 2010. With the draw now complete, La Roja know their opponents, and expectations are already rising about how long they can avoid Lionel Messi’s Argentina on the road to a potential final.

During Friday’s World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Spain was confirmed as the leader of Group H. Yamal and company now have their path laid out, with group-stage matches against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

Since making his debut for Spain in 2023, Yamal has already competed in EURO qualifiers, the 2024 EURO—where Spain claimed the title—the Nations League, where they finished as runners-up, and the World Cup qualifiers. Now, the 18-year-old Barcelona star is set to complete the cycle with the first World Cup appearance of his young career.

When could Spain and Argentina clash in the 2026 World Cup?

A potential showdown between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi has become one of the most discussed storylines in recent years, given their shared ties to FC Barcelona and the global stature of both national teams—especially with the Finalissima approaching in March. As both were seeded in Pot 1, a group-stage meeting was off the table, but there are still limitations on when a matchup could happen.

Because Spain and Argentina hold the No. 1 and No. 2 positions in the FIFA rankings, the organization outlined specific procedures in the draw regarding when the two nations can meet. According to FIFA, in order “to ensure competitive balance,” if both Spain and Argentina finish atop their groups, they would be placed on opposite sides of the bracket and therefore would not meet until the final.

*Developing story…