KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s hard to think of a bigger soccer matchup than Argentina vs. Portugal during the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On one side, you’ve got the defending World Cup champions and Lionel Messi. On the other side, you’ve got a traditional European power and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi has already led Argentina to a pair of victories at this tournament by scoring an astounding five goals. Ronaldo joined the party Tuesday with two goals of his own, which helped Portugal win its first match of the event.

If the two old rivals, and their national teams, happen to meet at some point on the World Cup bracket, ticket prices could surge to new heights.

Some aren’t waiting to find out if it will happen.

Case in point: There is a chance that Argentina and Portugal will face off during the quarterfinals on July 11 in Kansas City. And prices are already on the rise in anticipation. The lowest get-in price on the secondary market for that game ballooned to nearly $4,300 on Seat Geek on Tuesday afternoon.

The price climbed more than $500 immediately after Portugal buried Uzbekistan, 5-0.

By comparison, the get-in price for the other three remaining World Cup games — $620 for Netherlands vs. Tunisia, $500 for Austria vs. Algeria, $1,800 for a Round of 32 game — in Kansas City don’t even add up to $3,000.

The most expensive ticket listed for the quarterfinal in Kansas City was nearly $45,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Things will need to break perfectly for both teams if they hope to meet in a dream matchup at Arrowhead, though. Argentina will need to win a pair of knockout games to advance that far. Portugal will need to win its group and then also win a pair of knockout games to play in Kansas City.

Much will likely depend on the result of Saturday’s group stage game between Colombia and Portugal. The winner of that match will win Group K and earn a spot on the KC side of the bracket. The winner of Group B (likely Canada or Switzerland) will also present a challenge in the knockout rounds.

There is no guarantee that fans will get a dream matchup between Argentina and Portugal at this World Cup.

But if it does happen, it could happen in Kansas City. Soccer fans are already taking notice.

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