Group J will be under close watch, since it is where you will find Lionel Messi and the defending World Cup champions, Argentina.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/collectibles as The Top 4 Lionel Messi Card Sales Ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The greatest players have graced the World Cup and often lived up to top billing. Lionel Messi has been named player of the tournament twice, joining Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Diego Maradona among the winners.

Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating mighty Argentina in Qatar four years ago. That stunning victory against Lionel Messi and the eventual champion turned out to be just the start of its campaign to disrupt soccer.

World Cup 2026 Golden Boot odds: Kylian Mbappe up against Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi - The game’s greatest goalscorers line up for tournament’s top individual honour

The FIFA World Cup will bring together football stars from across the globe, ranging from legends to emerging talents.

Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo are set to appear in their sixth FIFA World Cup.

If you think this World Cup will be won by lab-made strategies, you’re watching the wrong sport. Theory is all well and good, but when the stadium roars, the ones in charge are the footballers with