The MLB All-Star week is always a summer highlight. Each year, the most outstanding players from both the American League and National League teams face off to win the Midsummer Classic. 

Here’s a list of the top 25 players with the most MLB All-Star appearances.

Most MLB All-Star Appearances

• No. 1: Hank Aaron (25 appearances)
• No. 2 (tie): Willie Mays (24 appearances)
• No. 2 (tie): Stan Musial (24 appearances)
• No .4: Mickey Mantle (20 appearances)
• No. 5 (tie): Cal Ripken Jr. (19 appearances)
• No. 5 (tie): Ted Williams (19 appearances)
• No. 7 (tie): Rod Carew (18 appearances)
• No. 7 (tie): Carl Yastrzemski (18 appearances)
• No. 7 (tie): Yogi Berra (18 appearances)
• No. 7 (tie): Al Kaline (18 appearances)
• No. 7 (tie): Brooks Robinson (18 appearances)
• No. 12 (tie): Pete Rose (17 appearances)
• No. 12 (tie): Warren Spahn (17 appearances)
• No. 14 (tie): Tony Gwynn (15 appearances)
• No. 14 (tie): Ozzie Smith (15 appearances)
• No. 14 (tie): Roberto Clemente (15 appearances)
• No. 14 (tie): Nellie Fox (15 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Johnny Bench (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Barry Bonds (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Ernie Banks (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Frank Robinson (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Reggie Jackson (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Derek Jeter (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Alex Rodriguez (14 appearances)
• No. 18 (tie): Iván Rodrí­guez (14 appearances)

2026 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show MLB on FOX

Alex Rodriguez, Dontrelle Willis and the rest of the ‘MLB on FOX’ crew reveal the 2026 MLB All-Star Game Rosters for both the National League and American League.

Which active players have the most MLB All-Star appearances?

Here’s a list of active players with seven or more MLB All-Star appearances:

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• No. 1: Mike Trout (12 appearances)
• No. 2 (tie): Freddie Freeman (10)
• No. 2 (tie): Chris Sale (10)
• No. 4 (tie): Bryce Harper (9)
• No. 4 (tie): Aroldis Chapman (9)
• No. 4 (tie): Salvador Perez (9)
• No. 4 (tie): Jose Altuve (9)
• No. 4 (tie): Justin Verlander (9)
• No. 4 (tie): Craig Kimbrel (9)
• No. 10 (tie): Aaron Judge (8)
• No. 10 (tie): Max Scherzer (8)
• No. 10 (tie): Nolan Arenado (8)
• No. 10 (tie): Mookie Betts (8)

Who has the most All-Star appearances of all time?

Hank Aaron holds the record for the most all-star appearances, with 25 appearances between 1954-1976.  

Which active player has the most All-Star appearances?

Mike Trout holds the record for the most All-Star appearances by an active player. From 2011-2026, Trout has been selected for 12 All-Star games. 

Who has the most consecutive All-Star appearances?

Not only does Hank Aaron hold the record for most All-Star appearances of all time, but he also holds the record for most consecutive All-Star appearances of any player. From 1955-1975, Aaron was selected as an All-Star – 21 seasons in a row!

How to Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 14, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Watch the MLB All-Star Game on FOX One for live and on-demand streaming.

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Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, who injured his right knee in the 19th minute of Monday’s 4-1 win against the United States in the round of 16, will miss the remainder of the World Cup.

In a statement released by the Belgian soccer federation, team doctor Brahim Hacene said medical examinations confirmed that Onana ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee.

“This is devastating news,” Hacene said, “both for him personally and for the team.”

The 24-year-old Onana appeared in four games at the World Cup for Belgium, and made his second start of the tournament against the USA. Onana also played in two games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and scored a goal in a 5-2 blowout win over the U.S. in a World Cup warmup match in March. He was replaced in the 21st minute on Monday by Hans Vanaken, who scored one of Belgium’s four goals.

Onana has been with Aston Villa of the Premier League since 2024, and previously played for Everton.

“We immediately consulted with Amadou and with Aston Villa to agree on the best approach to his recovery,” Hacene said. “Over the coming days, we will jointly determine the next steps in his medical treatment and rehabilitation. Throughout this process, we will continue to provide Amadou with our full support.”

Onana will stay with the Red Devils for their quarterfinal match against 2010 champion Spain on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium for a semifinal berth against France or Morocco. There are no other significant injuries to Belgium’s roster, according to the statement.

Midfielder Jérémy Doku, who didn’t start for Belgium on Monday but came off the bench as his fitness remains an issue, participated in Tuesday’s training session. So did midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who did not play on Monday.

Reporting by the Associated Press. 

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If you’re having trouble understanding the Arrow McLaren decision to jettison Christian Lundgaard, you’re not alone.

During their “SPEED with Harvick and Buxton” show on Monday, FOX broadcasters Will Buxton and Kevin Harvick wondered the same thing as they talked about the biggest INDYCAR free agent move in decades with six-time series champion Scott Dixon leaving Chip Ganassi Racing after 25 years and race for Arrow McLaren, who in the process moved on from Lundgaard despite the Denmark driver currently sitting third in the championship standings.

“When you look at Lundgaard, he’s now got after this weekend, since he joined McLaren, he’s been on the podium for 39 percent of his race starts with that team,” Buxton said on the show. “What more are you supposed to do to prove to the team that you’re the guy?”

Arrow McLaren announced Monday that Dixon and former McLaren driver Felix Rosenqvist will join the team, while Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel will not return in 2027. McLaren has not been shy in its goal to win the “triple crown” of Grand Prix of Monaco, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500. Dixon (2008) and Rosenqvist (2026) have won the Indy 500. Lundgaard, who has two road-course wins, has not yet mastered the ovals.

Buxton compared that move to the biggest moves in football and soccer in the last decade.

“Dixon to McLaren for me, it’s [Tom] Brady to the Bucs,” Buxton said. “It’s [Lionel] Messi to Miami. It is a generational great who has achieved everything, going somewhere to create a new ethos, a new sense of team, and take them to the titles that they want. But they want the [Indy] 500, not the title.”

Arrow McLaren team principal Tony Kanaan told FOX Sports that Dixon brings a “championship mentality” as a six-time champ.

“If Zak’s stated aim is the Indy 500, I love Scott, he’s done 25 years with Chip Ganassi Racing — he’s won the Indy 500 once,” said Buxton of McLaren CEO Zak Brown. “He’s won six titles in that time. He would love a seventh. But Zak has said his stated aim is not to win the championship, because if you want to win the championship, you keep Christian on your team.

“So the two stated aims don’t mesh for me in an easy explanation of why they’re letting Christian go. And maybe I’m taking it, maybe I’m getting too emotional about it and too personal about it, because I feel for Christian. I don’t know what more the kid needs to do.”

Current McLaren driver Pato O’Ward has finished second in both the championship standings and Indy 500 but has never won either. He’s the closest a current McLaren driver has gotten to reaching either of those feats.

Kanaan indicated that having Dixon, O’Ward and Rosenqvist will give the team a driver stable like he had in the mid-2000s with Dario Franchitti and Brian Herta that has great chemistry.

“It seems like a friend hire,” Harvick said. “And sometimes from a business standpoint, you have to separate what’s going to be great for the team and your friendships.”

That’s not to say Harvick doesn’t like the move for the drivers. He compared Dixon’s move to the one he made from Richard Childress Racing to Stewart-Haas Racing during his NASCAR career.

“The interesting part to me is you want to win a championship and you’re getting rid of your championship contender,” Harvick said. “And now you’re bringing in Scott Dixon, which, look, if I’m Scott Dixon and I’m at the end of my career and I’m having fun and want to go experience something else, it was exactly what I did when I went from RCR to SHR.

“And it gives you a chance to reboot and do all those things and have some leadership in a team. It’s going to be a fun experiment for Scott to be able to do that. But can he still win?”

Buxton said he felt this was a move fueled by Rosenqvist winning the 2026 Indy 500.

“Felix was seen as one of the fastest drivers in the sport, but a driver who couldn’t get it done,” Buxton said. “He would choke repeatedly. He wins the Indy 500, the biggest race in the world, brilliant, with one of the greatest last laps you’re ever going to see. Gutsy. Did he choke? Absolutely not.

“He put in the best last lap of an Indy 500 you are ever going to see. But how much of this is recency bias? Would Tony Kanaan believe the words coming out of his mouth if Felix Rosenquist had come back second? I don’t believe he would.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Arrow McLaren is overhauling its 2027 full-time INDYCAR driver lineup, with a pair of Indy 500 winners set to join mainstay Pato O’Ward.

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SEATTLE STADIUM — Christian Pulisic was not in the mood to talk. Why would he be?

The United States’ star came through the mixed zone interview area after his team had just been eliminated from the World Cup, and saw a familiar group of journalists waiting to speak with him. The 27-year-old winger looked exhausted, but he walked over and answered questions for five minutes.

The U.S. men’s national team was outclassed by Belgium in a 4-1 defeat Monday night in the round of 16. The Americans had hopes of advancing further than this program ever had before, and the opportunity to do it on home soil made it extra meaningful.

Pulisic, who has been dubbed by others as “Captain America” ever since breaking into the national team as a teenager 10 years ago, entered the summer with the highest expectations of his career. This was when he’d define his legacy.

Then things didn’t go as planned. Pulisic didn’t score a single goal and recorded only one assist. In the loss to Belgium, he created zero chances.

“I mean, I felt really good this summer playing with the guys, and I thought my level was high,” Pulisic said when asked how he felt about his overall personal performance. “It’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.”

“I’m disappointed with myself, of course,” Pulisic added, “but I’m gonna try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things, and the team did as well.”

(Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

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Pulisic’s World Cup was impacted by injuries. He contributed to two goals in the first half of an eventual 4-1 romp over Paraguay before aggravating a calf injury initially sustained a few days prior. This changed the course of his tournament, as he missed the second half, the whole Australia match and the first half against Türkiye. In total, Pulisic played just 196 of the team’s 450 available minutes across five matches.

Then Monday, he was forced off in the 59th minute after he kicked Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans’ leg while trying to get a shot off. No foul was called, and Pulisic went down clutching his leg in apparent pain.

“I totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” a dejected Pulisic said. “So, whatever, I have time to rest. Just an unfortunate way to finish.”

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

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The injuries were unlucky, but Pulisic’s spirits throughout the tournament remained outwardly high. 

Typically more reserved in the media, Pulisic seemed comfortable in the spotlight. He answered questions from reporters every week, often while smiling or cracking jokes about himself or manager Mauricio Pochettino. Pulisic enjoyed watching his coach immerse himself in American culture.

He was light on his feet during training sessions and looked like he was having fun with his friends, while still setting the standard. The team wanted to perform well for itself – and for him.

“He’s our guy,” Sebastian Berhalter told reporters earlier in the tournament. “He’s – more importantly – just a great person that everyone follows, and he’s a leader in his own right.”

Pulisic controversially sat out last summer’s Gold Cup, choosing to prioritize rest after a long club season with AC Milan and prepare for the upcoming campaign and the World Cup. The decision appeared to pay off, as he tallied 10 goals across all competitions for his club during the first half of last season, but then he endured a five-month scoring drought. His inability to find the back of the net became one of the biggest storylines surrounding the U.S. team heading into the tournament.

(Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Pochettino expressed confidence in him before the World Cup. Then, 12 days before the opener, Pulisic scored in a tune-up match against Senegal, providing a glimpse that he was rounding into form just in time.

In the end, not so much.

“You wanted some of those big-time players to step up in big moments,” U.S. women’s national team legend Carli Lloyd said on the FOX broadcast later. “And I’ve got to be honest, I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. Whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game, and really the whole World Cup.”

Pulisic is in the prime of his career and could certainly have multiple World Cups still ahead of him. He loves the national team, representing his country, and his frustration was evident. Broadcast cameras caught him getting emotional on the bench after he was subbed out of the game. He lingered on the field with teammates, taking in the last bits of the experience.

He just couldn’t take this team where it wanted to go.

“We were really positive coming into it, and there’s a lot of things to be proud of this summer for sure,” Pulisic said, trying to sound optimistic. “But it’s always tough to lose like we did today. I think we put in some really good performances. Made it through our group in quite dominant fashion, and then we won the game against Bosnia. We can for sure be proud of [ourselves], but I just think we want to have higher hopes than that. We want to be able to go and compete with some of the best in the world, and we just still have that next step to climb.”

(Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

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The Americans’ effort vs. Belgium was a surprising turnaround from the way things were before. Against Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the squad played with aggression, dominance and grit. For whatever reason, those qualities disappeared Monday night.

It was a heartbreaking ending, but Pulisic is grateful for the outpouring of fan support around the country and said, “Those are memories I’ll keep with me forever.”

So, what’s next? 

“For me, it’s spending some time with family and forget about the game for a little bit,” Pulisic said. “Try to get a little bit of rest because we’ll be right back in a few weeks going back to preseason and back with the national team, no doubt. There’s still a lot more that we want to accomplish.”

And while this team failed to meet its World Cup moment, Pulisic said it still “exceeded expectations.”

“Just with it being in America, with the fans and support we felt, the energy in the games, the way guys fought, the time we were able to spend together as a group was what I’ll take with me the most,” Pulisic said somberly. 

“So yeah, it was an awesome summer.”

Christian Pulisic’s Soccer Journey 🇺🇸 Story Behind The Youngest Captain in United States History

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For nearly 80 minutes, it looked like the defending world champions were heading home.

Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 entering the 78th minute of its Round of 16 match, with Lionel Messi having already missed a first-half penalty and live betting markets pricing La Albiceleste as massive underdogs.

But in a stunning finish, Argentina scored three unanswered goals in a 13-minute span to complete one of the greatest comebacks in FIFA World Cup history, and one of the biggest live betting turnarounds ever seen in sports.

Egypt stunned Argentina early when Yasser Ibrahim scored a header in the 15th minute, marking the first time Argentina had trailed in a World Cup match since its opening game of the 2022 tournament against Saudi Arabia.

Argentina had a chance to respond before halftime, but Messi’s penalty was saved, allowing Egypt to take a lead into the half. The Pharaohs then doubled their lead in the 67th minute via a Mostafa Ziko counterattack goal. 

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the defending champions looked like they were heading for an early exit. 

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Until everything changed.

Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute, finishing a Messi assist to cut the deficit to one. 

Four minutes later, Messi delivered the equalizer himself, sending the match into chaos. 

Then, in stoppage time, Enzo Fernández completed the miracle, scoring in the 92nd minute to give Argentina an improbable 3-2 victory and send the defending champions into their second straight quarterfinals.

The win was historic in several ways:

• According to Opta, Argentina had just a 0.6% chance of winning in 90 minutes, just before Cristian Romero made it 2-1.
• It was the first time Argentina had ever come back from a two-goal deficit to win a World Cup match.
• Argentina became the first team since Belgium’s 3-2 comeback over Japan in the 2018 Round of 16 to erase a two-goal deficit and win a World Cup match in regulation.
• Argentina became the first team ever to win a World Cup match in 90 minutes after still trailing by two goals in the 78th minute.
• It was also just the fourth time in World Cup knockout-stage history that a team rallied from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

The comeback was just as incredible from a betting perspective.

Before kickoff, Argentina was a heavy favorite at -290 on the moneyline and -750 to advance, while Egypt was +900 to win and +510 to reach the quarters. 

By the 78th minute, those odds had completely flipped.

Argentina’s live moneyline climbed as high as +2500 at Caesars Sportsbook, while its odds to advance reached +575.  

According to Caesars, one bettor placed $200 on Argentina at +2500, cashing a $5,000 win after the historic comeback. 

So, where does that compare to some of the other greatest comebacks in sports history? 

While those odds were extraordinary, they still fall just short of the biggest live betting comebacks on record. 

One of the largest still remains the 2022 Minnesota Vikings, who trailed the Indianapolis Colts 33-0 at halftime before rallying to win 39-36 in overtime after live odds reached +4000 on DraftKings. 

Other legendary betting comebacks include the 2017 New England Patriots overcoming the infamous 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI after reaching roughly +1600-2000 live, and the 2022 Jacksonville Jaguars, who came back from 27-0 against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round, after being listed around +2500 in-game.

Meanwhile, soccer has produced its share of unforgettable comebacks as well. 

Barcelona’s famous “Remontada” against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017 Champions League reportedly saw live odds to advance climb to around +5000 before three late goals completed the impossible, while Liverpool’s miraculous 2005 Champions League final comeback from 3-0 down in the first half against AC Milan carried odds near +10000 to lift the trophy after the first 45 minutes of play. 

Argentina’s comeback migt not top that list numerically, but considering the stage, the defending champions’ elimination hanging in the balance, and the fact that all three goals came in a 13-minute period, it will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest betting comebacks in World Cup history.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to try to stay in postseason contention without rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin.

The club placed the 20-year-old rising star on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to an issue with the knuckle on the ring finger on his left hand. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Griffin is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

Griffin, who made his major league debut in April before signing a lengthy extension, injured the finger in the early portion of a victory over Washington on Sunday. He remained in the lineup and finished with two hits before a postgame exam detailed the extent of the injury.

Tomczyk said the injury was to the sagittal band, which stabilizes the ring finger. Griffin will keep the hand in a splint for about six weeks before resuming baseball activities.

The injury is the second significant setback for Griffin during a promising rookie season. He missed most of June with a strained right forearm.

“He’s really been a big part of our success,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “I think for him to learn through this, too, every single player goes through injuries. He’s just had a couple tough ones at the beginning. I know he’ll be stronger after going through it.”

When healthy, Griffin has been a revelation for the Pirates, looking every bit the franchise cornerstone they hoped he’d be after selecting him in the first round of the 2024 draft. Griffin is hitting .276 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 59 games.

Jared Triolo will primarily fill in at shortstop for Pittsburgh, which entered Tuesday at 46-45 and in the middle of a large swath of National League teams in the postseason mix.

Griffin joins an increasingly crowded injured list that includes center fielder Oneil Cruz and first baseman Spencer Horwitz.

Pittsburgh called up infielder Jack Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Griffin’s spot on the roster.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the first time that the tournament has had a halftime show at the final. 

FIFA announced back in May that Madonna, Shakira and BTS would be the headliners taking center stage in a spectacle best fit for a global audience.

And just like the Super Bowl halftime show, fans can wager on how the performance will unfold.

Here are the latest odds at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 7.

World Cup Halftime Odds

BTS First Song

Which song will BTS perform first in their halftime set? (Getty Images)

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Hooligan: +170 (bet $10 to win $27 total)
IDOL: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Into the Sun: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Run BTS: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Dynamite: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)
SWIM: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)

Shakira First Song:

Waka Waka (This Time For Africa): +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total)
Hips Don’t Lie: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Loca: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
Acrositico: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
La Tortura: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Soltera: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Special Musical Guests To Appear On Stage

Could “Everything Hallelujah” singer Justin Bieber make a special appearance as a musical guest? (Getty Images)

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Burna Boy: -160 (bet $10 to win $16.25 total)
Chris Martin (Coldplay): -125 (bet $10 to win $18 total)
Justin Bieber: +150 (bet $10 to win $25 total)
Beyoncé: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
The Weeknd: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Sabrina Carpenter: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)
Alejandro Fernandez: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)

Madonna First Song

“Vogue” was one of the first songs Madonna performed during her Super Bowl halftime set back in 2012. (Getty Images)

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Bring Your Love: -125 (bet $10 to win $18 total)
I Feel So Free: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Nothing Really Matters: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Like A Prayer: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Vogue: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
La Isla Bonita: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)

Total Songs

Under 8.5: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)
Over 8.5: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)

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Inevitable is such a special word.

It is the definition of the unavoidable, the inescapable, something where, no matter what you try and do, you simply cannot prevent the outcome. It is the wall of fate crushing against you, without hope or desire.

But the word inevitable is also about the eternal because it is the ultimate act of strength that lives forever in the psyche of the recipient, knowing that what’s about to happen, will indeed occur and not only can you not stop it, you will never forget it. 

That’s Lionel Messi. Eternal. Inevitable. 

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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The Argentina captain led his team to a remarkable, almost unbelievable comeback as the defending champion was 2-0 down against a heroic Egypt and achieved the ultimate remontada. 

It was the performance of a man who, at 39 years old, does not know how to end a chapter. But I will also say that, Messi aside, this was also about his teammates and how their intoxicating efforts to unite and overcome adversity shined through. Messi was their hero, but this victory took an army to support him. 

More on that in a moment. 

On Tuesday in Atlanta, Egypt and Mohamed Salah — a legend in his land and beyond — fought like warriors and had this been a fairer story, perhaps we would have seen them as victors. 

Hossam Hassan’s side deserved something out of this grueling battle. And there is an argument to be made about its disallowed goal and how it should have stood based on the run of play. But regardless, Egypt did score again and created a 2-0 lead, thanks to some mesmerizing counter-attacking work from the aforementioned Salah and Haissem Hassan, who quite literally gave it his all. 

Then there’s the talking point of the actual performance. Argentina, once again — just like Cape Verde poetically highlighted and exploited — was not good. It lacked so much fluidity, and Messi was also struggling against a resilient defensive line and missed a penalty attempt, making him the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single tournament (outside of shootouts). 

Egypt, leading 2-0, was staring at only 10 minutes remaining until it could reach its greatest ever victory and a historic spot in the quarterfinal stage. It could almost open the doors to the promised land. It was there for the taking, and had it ended in such a manner, no one would have criticized the win. We would have accepted the outcome, even Argentinians. 

Mohamed Salah and Lisandro Martinez batted for possession during the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) –>

In fact, it was already accepted as towards the latter stages of the match, before Argentina scored the first goal, you could practically hear a pin drop from the Argentina faithful. They had almost understood the outcome. They had welcomed the ending. 

Argentina was about to lose its right to defend its World Cup. 

But that’s not how Messi operates. He doesn’t accept a script he doesn’t author, and once again, as consistent as the sunrise or the sounds of an ocean, the inevitable happened. 

He rose.  

After dazzling inside the box over and over again in the second half, albeit with no outcome, the first uppercut finally came through in the 79th minute, as his assist for Cristian “Cuti” Romero’s goal became the first sign of life. 

The crowd stood again, screaming and chanting, knowing life had returned.

The inevitable was slowly creeping behind the door. 

Four minutes later, the ball pinged around inside the box, and Gonzalo Montiel rescued it to find Leo, who smashed it in after bouncing off the crossbar. This is when the stadium actually vibrated and shook with a pulsating heart as Argentina was level. 

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The narrative of the story is also about the heroes we don’t remember, and that includes Leandro Paredes, who made a crucial stop from an Egyptian counter. Moments later, Lautaro Martínez found Enzo Fernández for the winner, and just like that, Argentina had climbed the mountain and planted its flag. 

The whistle blew. An emotional Messi began to cry. His teammates rallied around each other, consoling his emotions and celebrating his accomplishments. 

Messi’s tears were not just about the physical and mental extremities that were necessary in order to create this incredulous evening of pure magic. The tears also represented the fact that he was still alive, both at this World Cup and in the arms of his beloved Argentina.  

The emotion represented the exhaustion as we all witnessed, once again, an unforgettable match. A tale for the ages. A story that will continue as Lionel Scaloni’s side continues to defend its title. 

By the end, the sentiment was so beautifully vivid for every Argentinian and most notably, Lionel Messi. By the end, they tossed him in the air to celebrate a victory that will live with them forever.

If you ask me, I think that the tears, the emotions, the sacrifice, the undying raw display of tired catharsis — all of it is just the proverbial residue of something much stronger at play: the inevitability of Lionel Messi.

Argentina vs Egypt Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 16

Check out the full game highlights between Argentina and Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Announced by Derek Rae and Rob Green.

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On July 19, after 103 matches have been played, only two teams will remain standing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two nations, each chasing soccer immortality, will meet at New York New Jersey Stadium in what is expected to be one of the biggest sporting events ever held in the United States.

So which countries are most likely to make it all the way to the title game?

Let’s take a look at the latest odds to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 7.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

To Reach World Cup Final 

France: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Argentina: +135 (bet $10 to win $23.50 total)
England: +155 (bet $10 to win $25.50 total)
Spain: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Norway: +490 (bet $10 to win $59 total)
Switzerland: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Morocco: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Belgium: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)

Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:

Rematch Favored: France andArgentina are favored to face off in the final yet again, after duking it out in 2022 in Qatar. But La Albiceleste got quite the scare on Tuesday, trailing 2-0 against Egypt nearly 80 minutes into the match. However, Argentina scored in the 79th minute, in the 83rd minute and then again in stoppage time to pull off the all-time comeback, winning 3-2 to keep its repeat hopes alive. As for France, it grinded out a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16, in what surely could be considered the chippiest match of the entire tournament.

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Erling Haaland. Harry Kane. Kylian Mbappé. Lionel Messi. Lamine Yamal. The sheer amount of star power between the eight teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals is hard to comprehend, but easy to watch and enjoy.

These teams aren’t here to have fun, though. The teams left standing — Argentina, Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland — have convinced themselves that they have a chance of lifting the World Cup trophy, and some for the first time in their country’s history. From here on out, it’s all business.

Here are the key storylines for every team heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals:

France vs. Morocco

Kylian Mbappé Can Join All-Time Greats With Another World Cup

(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

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At 27 years old, Mbappé has already made 103 appearances for France and scored 63 goals. He’s the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.

This is his third World Cup. The first two ended by winning the tournament and a runner-up finish. Another run to the final would put him among the best ever, and it would also likely keep him close to Messi in the race to be the leading goalscorer in the tournament’s history.

If France wins the World Cup this year, Mbappé will be the one lifting the trophy. It would be a three-tournament run that very few players in history can match.

Can Morocco Become The First African Nation To Reach A Final?

(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

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Morocco made history in 2022 when it became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal. Next for the Atlas Lions would be to make it to the final game.

Morocco is through to the quarterfinals after beating the Netherlands in the round of 32 and then Canada in the round of 16. In both matchups, they have clearly been the superior team.

Next for Morocco is a rematch of that semifinal against France. Striker Ismael Saibari left the win over Canada with an injury, but the team is hopeful he will be available to face France.

Morocco will be the underdog against Les Bleus, but it has as good a chance than any team in the tournament to pull off an upset. Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi scored twice against Canada, while playmaker Brahim Diaz and right back Achraf Hakimi combined for the three assists. Morocco has the quality to win.

Spain vs. Belgium

How Long Can Spain Go Without Conceding A Goal?

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Spain is known for its impressive possession-first game, featuring one of the best midfields in the world. So far, though, it’s the defense that has been the star of the tournament.

La Roja has played five games at this World Cup, and it is yet to concede a goal. The back line of left back Marc Cucurella, center backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí, right back Pedro Porro and goalkeeper Unai Simon have played all 180 minutes of the knockout stage together, and the unit might be impenetrable.

Simon has gone 609 minutes without conceding a goal at the World Cup, which is the longest streak ever by a goalkeeper.

Next up is Belgium, which has scored nine goals in its last two games against New Zealand and the United States.

Last Stand For Belgium’s Old Guard

(Photo by Jan De Meuleneir / Photo News via Getty Images) –>

Thibaut Courtois is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world at 34 years old; Romelu Lukaku is showing he can still score goals at 33; Kevin De Bruyne can still pick a pass at 35; while even winger Leandro Trossard is still one of the best playmakers at the tournament at 31.

Lukaku is coming off the bench and still making an impact, while De Bruyne didn’t feature against the USA. This is a new-look Belgium team, but it’s still synonymous with its veteran stars.

Facing Spain will be Belgium’s toughest test yet. After an impressive comeback against Senegal and dominant display against the USA, the Red Devils will be confident. To win, though, it will need its veterans to lead the way, potentially with Lukaku having to make a key contribution off the bench.

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Norway vs. England

Who Can Stop Erling Haaland?

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Man, Viking, Monster — call him what you want, as long as you call him the most dominant striker on this planet, and possibly others. The only player that comes close? The player that will be starting opposite of him in the quarterfinal, Harry Kane.

But Kane can’t stop Haaland; he can only hope to cancel out his goals with his own. So who can? Marc Guéhi, his teammate at Manchester City? Ezri Konsa, who held Haaland scoreless in their lone Premier League meeting last season? Or will it be Jordan Pickford, who Haaland scored three goals against last season?

The answer will be some combination of the three, because though many have tried, there is no one person that can stop Haaland.

Is It Actually Coming Home?

(Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP via Getty Images)

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England has been here before: a talented team with a good head of steam heading into a quarterfinals matchup it should win. And yet, the last time it made the final was in 1996, the only time it won the tournament, and the last time it won a title in any major tournament. Will this year be any different?

Thomas Tuchel is certainly hoping so. The England coach made some controversial decisions with his roster selection, and so far, it hasn’t come back to haunt him. But a loss to Norway — a team ranked 14 spots below it in the FIFA rankings — would change all of that.

Knockout Tournament Tuchel: the floor is yours.

Argentina vs. Switzerland

Messi Has Chance To Make History As World Cup-Winning Captain

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If the FIFA World Cup was a video game, Lionel Messi would have beaten it — platinumed it. He’s the tournament’s all-time leadiner in goals and assists, he’s won the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player twice, and, in 2022, he finally lifted the trophy after besting Kylian Mbappé and France in arguably the greatest final of all time.

Now? Messi is after his second — and likely last — World Cup title. If he pulls it off, Messi will become the first player in World Cup history to win two World Cups while wearing the captain’s armband, and Argentina will become first back-to-back men’s World Cup champions since Brazil 64 years ago.

It’s more than just bragging rights on the line; it’s World Cup immortality.

Can Switzerland Reach The Semis?

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) –>

Despite not being a world soccer power in the modern era, Switzerland has reached the quarterfinals three times: 1934, 1938 and 1954. However, it has never gotten over the hump, failing to advance in all three of its appearances. Yes, an argument can be made that Switzerland advancing to the quarterfinals over a World Cup dark horse in Colombia is an accomplishment in itself, but Switzerland won’t be thinking that way — certainly not after Argentina was nearly upset itself in the round of 16.

Write Switzerland off at your own risk.

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