Argentina v Iceland in final World Cup warm-up: time, TV, line-ups | OneFootball

After the 2-0 win over Honduras with a squad that mixed starters and backups, the Albiceleste coaching staff’s idea is now directly to give playing time to the core group of players they plan to start the World Cup with on June 16.

The main new development for the Argentina national team is that Lionel Messi will get minutes against Iceland after recovering from the muscle injury he suffered at Inter Miami. In principle, the captain will start and join a lineup whose defense will generally stay the same, but which will see several changes in midfield.

Scaloni is planning a lineup with several changes compared to Saturday.

The idea is to field the core starting group that will play in the World Cup, including Lionel Messi, who has put the muscle issue behind him and will likely be in the lineup to gain match fitness. In addition, the midfield would be refreshed with the presence of the untouchables Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister.

Exequiel Palacios has a chance to keep his place in the team and complete the midfield, which would feature the usual starters: Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister. As with Messi, Scaloni wants them to arrive at the World Cup opener with playing time and match rhythm.

Emiliano Martínez, Leandro Paredes, and Julián Álvarez are still recovering from their respective injuries and will not be available to the coaching staff. The plan is not to risk them so they can be in optimal condition against Algeria, a match for which Dibu and Álvarez are projected as starters. In addition, Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel would be rested, so Agustín Giay could keep his place or Nicolás Capaldo could come in, players who are not on the World Cup roster and are with the squad as reserves.

How Argentina and Iceland are coming into the friendly

Argentina comes into this match after beating Honduras 2-0 in Texas, in what was the delegation’s first friendly since arriving in the United States for the World Cup, a tournament that will begin this Thursday, June 11, and will see the Albiceleste make its debut on Tuesday the 16th.

For its part, Iceland is coming off a 1-0 loss to Japan in its first friendly and will look to pull off an upset against Argentina ahead of the World Cup, just as it did in Russia 2018, when it drew with the national team and shocked the world.

Argentina’s probable lineup vs. Iceland

Gerónimo Rulli; Nicolás Capaldo or Agustín Giay, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez or José Manuel López. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Iceland’s probable lineup vs. Argentina

Hakón Valdimarsson; Logi Tomasson, Hordur Magnússon, Daniel Grétarsson, Stefán Thordarson, Dagur Thórhallsson; Kristian Hlynsson, Andri Baldursson, Gísli Thórdarson, Mikael Ellertsson; Brynjólfur Willumsson. Coach: Arnar Gunnlaugsson.

Argentina vs. Iceland, friendly: where to watch live and match info

What’s next for Argentina

After the last friendly, Argentina’s schedule will turn toward its debut at the 2026 World Cup. On June 16, one week later, it will begin its campaign against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium.

After the opener, the schedule will offer no relief. The second group-stage match will take place on Monday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m., with Austria as the opponent at the imposing Dallas Stadium.

This change in time and city will force a quick physical recovery for the players, since they will go from playing at night in Kansas to an afternoon slot under the Texas sun.

Finally, the close of Scaloni’s team’s first qualifying stage will come on Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 p.m. against Jordan at the same stadium where they will face the Europeans.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.