Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Argentina
Match Time & Date:
22/11/2022
02:00 AM
Prediction: 3-0
Saudi Arabia
David faces Goliath at Lusail Iconic Stadium on Tuesday morning as Argentina and Saudi Arabia go head to head in the Group C opener. La Albiceleste are seen as one of the main favourites to win the 2022 World Cup, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. As always, all eyes will be on Leo Messi, who has netted 90 goals in 164 appearances for the Argentina national team. The good news for Lionel Scaloni is that Roma striker Paulo Dybala has overcome his injury, but Man Utd rising star Alejandro Garnacho has been omitted, as well as Nico Gonzales and Jorge Correa.
Both Angel Correa and Thiago Almeda have been added to the squad. Meanwhile, this will be Saudi Arabia’s sixth appearance at the World Cup finals. Herve Renard is doing a great job with the Green Falcons, but they will have a mountain to climb against Leo Messi and Co. The two teams played out a goalless draw in a friendly ten years ago, but Argentina have improved their game ever since. A man to watch in the Asian side will be Al-Shabab midfielder Fahad Al-Muwallad, who has scored 17 goals in 74 caps for the national team.
Highlighted Player (Lionel Messi):
Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best players in the history of football. He was born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario and he began his football career at Newell’s Old Boys. At age 10 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but having realized his potential at a young age, Barcelona decided to pay for his treatment.
Messi joined Barca in 2001 and he has been playing for the Camp Nou outfit ever since. The Argentine magician has won eight La Liga trophies with Barca and he helped the Catalan giants lift no less than four Champions League titles (2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2014/2015).
In the 2011/2012 La Liga campaign Messi scored 50 goals for Barca, while netting 14 goals in the 2011/2012 Champions League campaign. The five-time Golden Ball award winner has established himself as Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, but he has yet to win a trophy with Argentina national team at major tournaments. Leo Messi, though, has won Olympic Gold Medal (2008) and FIFA World Youth Championship (2005), with la Albiceleste.
Highlighted Team (Saudi Arabia):
Saudi Arabia Football Federation was established back in 1956, but the Saudis qualified for a major tournament 28 years later, when they participated in the AFC Asian Cup. In 1988 Saudi Arabia won their first trophy, with the team beating South Korea in the Asian Cup final.
Eight years later they repeated the success and it has to be noted that they have been playing at the Asian Cup finals ever since. Speaking of their appearances at the FIFA World Cup finals, the Green Falcons did well to qualify for the 1994 tournament, where they made it to the last 16. Saudi Arabia participated at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 tournament as well, but they missed out on a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.
However, the Asian side booked their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia thanks to a win over Japan in their last group game in the qualifiers. Saudi Arabia’s home kits are white, whilst they wear green jerseys and shirts when playing on the road.
Leicester
Chelsea
Arsenal
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
