Argentina continued their winning momentum ahead of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Honduras in a friendly match held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Coach Lionel Scaloni opted to rest captain Lionel Messi for the entire match as a precaution due to lingering muscle fatigue. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 37th minute from a penalty after Nicolás Tagliafico was fouled, while Giuliano Simeone sealed the win with a precise finish in the 51st minute following a backheel assist from Martínez.

Scaloni made several changes throughout the match but avoided risking Messi, who had sustained a minor injury while playing for Inter Miami on May 25. Although Messi has resumed training with the national team, he is yet to regain full fitness. The coach emphasized that no risks would be taken with the 38-year-old star before the World Cup.

Argentina will play their final warm-up match against Iceland on June 9 before beginning their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria. They are placed in Group J alongside Austria and Jordan.

Argentina has announced a 32-player preliminary squad for its World Cup preparations, although the final roster will include only 26 players as required by tournament rules. Coach Lionel Scaloni plans to use the extended group for training and friendly matches before the competition begins in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on June 11, 2026. The final squad will be revealed on the same day the submission deadline ends, with additional players kept on standby.

The decision stems from Argentina’s experience before the 2022 World Cup, when injuries to Joaquín Correa and Nicolás González forced late changes. To avoid similar disruptions, Scaloni and his staff are preparing backup options early. Among the six extra players are Santiago Beltrán, Joaquín Freitas, Tomás Aranda, Simón Escobar, Ignacio Ovando, and Nicolás Capaldo, with Agustín Giay also under consideration as a potential replacement for injured defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina.

Argentina will set up its base camp in Kansas on June 7 and play two friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before beginning its World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 17.

Argentina has set its sights on winning a second consecutive FIFA World Cup, with forward Julián Álvarez emerging as a key figure in the team’s pursuit. In an interview with FIFA, Álvarez expressed excitement about defending the title, saying the team aims to reach the final again despite the challenges ahead. The 26-year-old striker, now playing for Atlético Madrid after leaving Manchester City, has become an integral part of Argentina’s starting lineup since his breakthrough performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Álvarez scored four goals in that tournament, including two in the semifinal against Croatia, helping Argentina secure the championship. He has since added major club and international trophies to his career, including the Copa Libertadores, UEFA Champions League, and Copa América. Argentina hopes to join Italy and Brazil as the only nations to win consecutive World Cups, a feat Álvarez believes would mark a historic era for the team.

While Lionel Messi’s participation in the upcoming World Cup remains unconfirmed, Álvarez noted that the decision rests with Messi but emphasized that the tournament will be special for the entire football world.

Lionel Messi’s injury scare has eased after Inter Miami confirmed that medical tests found no serious damage. The Argentine star was forced off during the 73rd minute of a Major League Soccer match against Philadelphia Union, which Miami won 6–4. The club’s medical team reported that Messi’s left hamstring showed signs of strain and muscle fatigue but no major injury. The announcement brought relief to Argentina’s camp as they prepare to defend their World Cup title.

Inter Miami stated that Messi’s return to play will depend on his recovery progress, without specifying a timeline. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano also shared that tests confirmed only minor discomfort. The news comes as Argentina prepares to announce its squad before the World Cup begins on June 11, with their first match scheduled against Algeria five days later.

The update reduces immediate concerns for both Inter Miami and Argentina, though Messi’s exact recovery period remains uncertain.

Argentina’s national airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas, has prepared a specially designed Airbus aircraft named ‘Number Ten’ to accompany Lionel Messi and the national football team in their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America. The aircraft, now receiving final touches at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport, is painted in Argentina’s blue and white colors and features the iconic number 10 on its tail, symbolizing both Diego Maradona and Messi.

According to hangar shift manager Pablo da Grava, every part of the aircraft was created with the dream of winning a fourth World Cup in mind. The engines carry the captain’s armband symbol ‘C’ and three stars representing Argentina’s three previous titles. The design aims to embody national pride and emotion while serving as a good-luck charm for the team.

The team previously traveled on a similar aircraft during their victorious 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign, and both players and staff hope the new plane will bring the same fortune as they prepare for another global challenge.

Argentina’s national football team has nearly completed its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, 22 players are almost certain to make coach Lionel Scaloni’s final 26-man squad, barring injuries or unexpected events. The team had earlier announced a preliminary list of 55 players, and Scaloni now faces the challenge of selecting the remaining four.

Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli are considered confirmed, while Juan Musso and Walter Benítez compete for the third spot. In defense, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, and Nicolás Tagliafico are nearly assured, with Marcos Senesi and Facundo Medina vying for the fifth center-back position. The midfield core includes Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás González, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Paz, and Thiago Almada.

In attack, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Giuliano Simeone, and José López are confirmed. Scaloni is still weighing options for the left-back and final midfield or attacking roles, with Marcos Acuña, Gabriel Rojas, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Franco Mastantuono, Máximo Perrone, and Gianluca Prestianni under consideration.

Argentina has announced a 55-member preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup, which begins in one month. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s list includes both experienced players and several newcomers, with Lionel Messi retained as part of the group. The Argentine Football Association released the squad officially, from which the final 26 players will later be selected. Only players from this list can replace any injured members before the tournament starts.

Among the surprises is River Plate’s young goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán, who joins a group of six goalkeepers but faces tough competition from established names like Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, and Juan Musso. In defense, Argentina faces some concern as Nahuel Molina is recovering from a muscle injury expected to take three weeks. To cover for him, Scaloni included Agustín Giay and Kevin Mac Allister. Boca Juniors’ Lautaro Di Lollo and Getafe’s Zaid Romero were also unexpected inclusions.

In midfield and attack, several new players have been called up for the first time, including Boca Juniors’ Milton Delgado and Tomás Aranda, whom Scaloni described as a remarkable discovery.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has been hit with a fraud lawsuit in the United States just before World Cup preparations. The case was filed by Miami-based event management company VID, which accused Messi of breaching a contract related to an exhibition match held last October. Under a $7 million agreement with the Argentine Football Association, Messi was required to play at least 30 minutes if not injured. However, he did not appear at all in the match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium, remaining in the stands throughout.

VID claims the situation worsened when Messi played for Inter Miami the following day against Atlanta United, suggesting he was fit and intentionally violated the contract. The company alleges that his absence reduced ticket sales and forced the venue to move from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, causing losses exceeding $1 million.

Despite the legal dispute, Messi remains in strong form on the field, having scored 83 goals in 96 matches for Inter Miami since joining in 2023. It remains to be seen how this legal complication might affect his World Cup preparations.

A new phase of the trial investigating the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has begun. The hearing resumed on Tuesday after the previous proceedings were halted due to controversy involving a judge. Maradona died shortly after returning home from brain surgery, and allegations were made that medical negligence led to his death. Following his death in November 2020, a seven-member medical team was charged and brought before the court.

The earlier trial, which lasted two and a half months, was abruptly stopped and later annulled in May 2025 after it emerged that a judge, Julieta Makinthakh, had participated in a documentary related to the case, violating judicial ethics. She was subsequently impeached. The restarted trial will hear testimony from at least 120 witnesses as the court examines the extent of responsibility borne by Maradona’s medical team.

The accused include doctors, a psychologist, and nurses who oversaw Maradona’s care after his hospital discharge. If found guilty, they could face prison sentences ranging from eight to twenty-five years. The case has once again drawn global attention as the football world awaits justice.

Tottenham Hotspur and Argentina have suffered a major setback as defender Cristian Romero has been ruled out for several weeks due to a knee injury. The incident occurred during Tottenham’s 1–0 defeat to Sunderland, when Romero collided with teammate goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after being pushed by opposing striker Brian Brobbey. He was forced to leave the field in pain, and initial tests revealed ligament damage in his knee. Further examinations are planned to determine the full extent of the injury.

Multiple reports suggest Romero could be out for five to eight weeks, effectively ending his season with Tottenham. The club is expected to issue an official statement soon. The injury has raised concerns within the Argentina camp, as the World Cup is less than two months away. Despite the uncertainty, the Argentine team remains hopeful that Romero will recover in time to lead their defense at the tournament.

Argentina will play two final warm-up matches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a last-minute schedule change. The Argentine Football Association announced that Lionel Scaloni’s team will face Honduras on June 6 in College Station, Texas, and Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama. Both matches will be held in the United States, giving Argentina a chance to face at least one European opponent before the tournament begins.

The decision comes after Argentina had not played any European team since winning the 2022 Qatar World Cup. A planned match against Spain in the Finalissima was canceled, raising concerns about the team’s preparation. In March, Argentina played two friendlies at home, defeating Mauritania 2–1 and Zambia 5–0, but faced criticism for choosing weaker opponents. Coach Lionel Scaloni said the final World Cup squad would be selected based on performances in these matches.

The 2026 World Cup will start on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Argentina, placed in Group J, will open their campaign against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

Argentina delivered a commanding 5–0 victory over Zambia in their final World Cup preparation match held at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires. The world champions dominated throughout, with goals from Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolás Otamendi, an own goal by Zambia’s Dominic Chanda, and a late strike from young Valentín Barco. Coach Lionel Scaloni made several lineup changes after expressing dissatisfaction with the team’s earlier performance against Mauritania. Messi played the full match, while goalkeeper Juan Musso replaced Emiliano Martínez late in the game.

Argentina controlled 76 percent of possession and registered nine shots, five of which were on target, while Zambia managed only three attempts with one on target. The match showcased Argentina’s attacking rhythm and defensive stability, providing a morale boost ahead of the World Cup.

With this emphatic home win, Argentina concluded their pre-tournament schedule on a confident note, reinforcing their readiness for the upcoming global competition.

World champions Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over Mauritania in a friendly match held at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires. The hosts took a two-goal lead in the first half through Enzo Fernández and 21-year-old midfielder Nico Paz. Mauritania pulled one back in stoppage time when defender Jordan Lefort scored from close range after Argentina failed to clear a free-kick.

Captain Lionel Messi entered the field at the start of the second half but did not score, despite several promising moments. Argentina dominated possession with 64 percent and had seven shots, four on target, while Mauritania managed eleven shots, also with four on target, showing competitive balance in the match.

The result provided both encouragement and caution for coach Lionel Scaloni’s side as they prepare for their final home warm-up match against Zambia before the upcoming World Cup.

Argentina will play a friendly match against Mauritania as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 5:15 a.m. Bangladesh time. Under coach Lionel Scaloni, the defending champions are focusing on fine-tuning their squad before the main tournament. Despite the friendly nature of the game, Argentina aims to demonstrate their dominance on the field.

According to the FIFA rankings, Argentina holds the second position, while Mauritania stands at 115th, highlighting a significant gap in strength. Scaloni’s team has shown remarkable consistency, winning 24 of their 30 matches since he took charge in 2018. Argentina last lost a friendly in March 2019 against Venezuela and has since remained unbeaten in 23 consecutive friendlies, including 15 straight wins. Their most recent victory came against Angola on November 14, 2025.

For this match, Scaloni will be without two injured players. Nahuel Molina replaces Gonzalo Montiel, and Lucas Martínez Quarta returns to the squad in place of Leonardo Balerdi. Despite these changes, Argentina is expected to field a balanced lineup.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has revealed that his biggest regret is not paying enough attention to his studies as a child, particularly not learning English. Speaking on the Mexican podcast 'Miro de Atras' with former Argentina goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, Messi said he had time to study but failed to use it properly. The 2022 World Cup winner admitted that he often feels uncomfortable when language barriers arise, especially in conversations with prominent people, making him realize how much time he wasted.

Messi, who has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, said he now uses this life lesson to guide his three children. He encourages them to seize every opportunity and value education, emphasizing that they have even more chances than he did. Despite his unmatched football success, Messi’s reflection highlights a personal side rarely seen in public.

During the same podcast, Messi also mentioned that his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still uncertain but expressed a wish to avoid facing Mexico in the tournament.