Messi will Play against Iceland though Argentina Manage Fitness Risks

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Monday that Lionel Messi will play in the team's pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland on Tuesday in Auburn, Alabama though his playing time will be limited.

"Messi will play, I just don't know how many minutes," Scaloni said. "I need to talk to him in training and we will decide, but in principle he will play."

Messi sat out Argentina's 2–0 friendly win over Honduras on June 6 in College Station, Texas, joining the squad while managing left hamstring muscle fatigue. He had come off in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's final MLS match before the World Cup break against Philadelphia Union.

Scaloni said his condition has been assessed day-to-day and that Messi began partial training with the group on June 5. "We will manage minutes for all players tomorrow to avoid any mishaps," the coach added.

Three other previously sidelined players — Nico Paz, Nahuel Molina, and Gonzalo Montiel are also available for Tuesday's match. On striker Julián Álvarez, Scaloni said an ankle issue is improving, while midfielder Leandro Paredes is expected to rejoin the squad within days.

Defender Leonardo Balerdi, however will miss the World Cup entirely after leaving camp with a calf injury. Scaloni said a replacement will be named after Tuesday's match, noting that Argentina can cover his position but are monitoring other injured players before making a final call.

Argentina open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Group J, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.