Lionel Messi (10) is ready to take the field as Argentina’s national team continues its preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina have only two friendly matches left before they begin their World Cup campaign in North America.

The defending champions are scheduled to face Honduras in College Station, Texas, on Saturday (6 June 2026) local time, which corresponds to Sunday morning IST.

Their final warm-up game will be against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday (9 June 2026).

The latter fixture comes just two days before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina’s first group stage match, against Algeria, will take place only a week later.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi could feature in one of the two upcoming friendlies.

Both the coach and the captain are unwilling to take unnecessary risks, especially since Messi is not yet at full fitness.

Like an engine just starting to warm up, Messi is not yet running at full power or match readiness.

He must still carefully manage his physical condition after suffering a thigh muscle issue during his last game with Inter Miami last week.

“Leo is in good shape,” Scaloni said when describing the current condition of the 39-year-old megastar, as quoted by TyC Sports.

“Leo trained with the team during part of Friday’s (5 June 2026) session, and that’s a significant step.”

“He’s improving steadily. He might play a few minutes in one of the two friendlies.”

“We’ll see whether it’s the match against Honduras on Saturday or the next one. But his condition is much better now, which gives us confidence,” Scaloni added.

The 2022 FIFA Best Men’s Coach winner is having to think carefully about managing the fitness of his squad.

As the World Cup approaches, Argentina arrived in the United States with nine players either injured or not fully fit to train normally.

Messi is among those requiring special attention — in fact, the most special treatment of all.

“The players who are training separately are improving,” Scaloni continued.

“When we announced the squad, we already knew each player’s condition, and they’re progressing well.”

“Naturally, we don’t want to take any risks with their health in these matches,” said the former Lazio player.

At the 2026 World Cup, Argentina are placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and tournament debutants Jordan.

La Albiceleste arrive as the defending champions, having defeated France in a dramatic penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar on 18 December 2022.

Messi and his teammates will fight to retain their crown and aim for a fourth world title, adding to their triumphs in 1978, 1986, and 2022.

For Messi, this will be his sixth — and possibly final — World Cup appearance before bidding farewell to the international stage.