Argentina Faces Iceland in Final World Cup Prep

Argentina, the current World Cup holders, is set to play their final preparatory match against Iceland before the upcoming tournament. This game marks the conclusion of their 2026 World Cup build-up, which has notably featured matches against significantly weaker teams.

The Albiceleste are aiming to make history by becoming the first team since 1962 to retain the World Cup title. Their path to this point has seen them breeze through qualifying, though recent warm-up games have not provided a stern test.

Questions linger about the team's form and the motivation of 38-year-old Lionel Messi, who is expected to feature against Iceland. Despite concerns, Messi's presence generally provides a significant lift to the squad.

Defensively, Argentina has been stout in their recent matches against lesser opponents, conceding only once since qualifying concluded. However, the true measure of their capabilities remains somewhat unclear due to the level of opposition faced.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday night in Auburn, United States, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kick-off is set for 9 p.m. ET. Notably, Julián Álvarez and Leandro Paredes are expected to miss the game due to injuries, while Leonardo Balerdi has withdrawn. Emiliano Martínez's broken finger will not prevent him from participating in the World Cup.