The Argentina team will face Iceland this Tuesday June 9, at 7:00 p.m., at the Jordan–Hare Stadium, located in the city of Auburn, Alabama, in what will be the last friendly match of the Albiceleste prior to his debut in the 2026 World Cupwhere he will share the Group J with the teams of Algeria, Jordan and Austria.
The world champions They will debut next Tuesday, June 16 against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas Cityso they will have a week to rest and prepare to defend the crown they won in the Qatar 2022 editionafter beating France in one of the best finals of the last World Cups.
Furthermore, the 2026 World Cup will be especially significant for the Albiceleste because it will probably be the last World Cup. Lionel Messiwho for Argentines symbolizes the greatest figure of contemporary soccer, national resilience and captain who returned glory to the country by winning the world title in 2022.
Therefore, because the figure of Messi transcended the sports field to become a cultural phenomenon and emotional feeling of national unity, in Argentina they hope that the captain is in optimal conditions to compete in the World Cup 2026 and get what they missed in the edition of Italy 1990: he two-time championship of the world.
Will Messi play against Iceland?
The world champion will play her last friendly against Iceland before making her debut in the 2026 World Cup and, according to the Argentine technical director Lionel Scalonieverything indicates that the captain of the Albiceleste, Lionel Messi, could play a few minutes against the Icelanders in the city of Auburn, Alabama, against almost 87 thousand spectators.
According to what was stated by the Spanish newspaper Sports WorldLionel Messi suffered from an overload associated with muscle fatigue in the left hamstring since the match between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union, played last Sunday, May 24, so he did not play in the friendly against Hondurasin College Station, Texas.
The former FC Barcelona player had to follow a program of recovery and began to partially participate in Albiceleste training at the beginning of June. However, during the morning of this Tuesday, June 9, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Leo Messi will be against Iceland to complete his preparation.
“Messi is going to play, but I don’t know how many minutes. I’m going to talk about it with him during training to avoid any type of risk. Nico Paz, Molina and Montiel They are also available to play. Julian Alvarez It’s okay, since day by day your ankle He’s improving, so we’re resting him so he’s 100%,” Scaloni added.
Argentina debuts in the World Cup
Group stage
- Tuesday June 16: Argentina vs. Algeria – 7:00 p.m. (Guatemala)
- Monday June 22: Argentina vs. Austria – 11:00 am (Guatemala)
- Saturday June 27: Argentina vs. Jordan – 8:00 p.m. (Guatemala)
If Argentina qualifies the round of 32 as first place in Group J, will face the second place in Group H, made up of Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. However, if you finish in second place in your group, you will have to face the first place in the group. hso it could be measured with the Red wave Sky blue.
Another chapter for Lionel Messi 🇦🇷#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lCXUNebNhK
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 3, 2026