Messi to start against Iceland as injured Argentina players will not risk playing

According to TyC, the Argentina national team is about to play its last warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup, against Iceland. Coach Scaloni is finalizing the starting lineup for the match. Messi is expected to start, while several players who are still recovering from injuries will not be risked.

The Argentina national team will play its final warm-up match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ahead of the upcoming match against Iceland in Alabama, coach Scaloni is finalizing the starting lineup and evaluating different personnel changes. This match will also be Argentina's last test before their FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria. In their previous 2-0 victory over Honduras, Argentina fielded a mixed lineup of starters and reserves. Now, the Argentine coaching staff's idea is to give the core lineup they plan to use in the FIFA World Cup opener more playing time.

The main change for the Argentina national team in this match concerns Messi. After recovering from the muscle injury he sustained while playing for Inter Miami, Messi will get playing time in the match against Iceland. According to the current plan, the Argentina captain will start. The team's defensive line will remain stable overall, but there will be multiple changes in the midfield.

Palacios has a chance to remain in the starting lineup and partner with several regular starters in midfield, including De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Mac Allister. Like Messi, Scaloni wants these players to get playing time before the FIFA World Cup opener to regain their match rhythm and form.

Damián Martínez, Paredes, and Julián Álvarez are still recovering from their respective injuries and will not be available for selection by the coaching staff for this match. Argentina's plan is not to risk them, so that they can be in optimal condition for the FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria. As currently envisioned, both Damián Martínez and Álvarez will start in the first match.

In addition, Molina and Montiel will also be protected. Therefore, Jai may continue to play, and Capaldo also has a chance to be included in the squad. Neither of them made Argentina's FIFA World Cup squad and are currently alternate players for the team.

Argentina's predicted starting lineup against Iceland

Rulli, Capaldo or Jai, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister, Palacios, Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

The current injury and doubt status of the Argentina national team players is as follows:

Montiel is recovering from a quadriceps tear and is not expected to get playing time in this match.

Molina is still recovering and adjusting after a muscle injury, similar to Montiel, and is also expected to be protected.

Paredes suffered a minor tear in his last Copa Libertadores match for Boca Juniors and is currently recovering, but has not yet participated in full team training.

Damián Martínez has a fractured ring finger on his right hand. However, he will still start in the FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria.

Julián Álvarez has an issue with one of his ankles, which prevented him from training on Wednesday, even though he had participated in ball training the day before. This injury is something he brought from Atlético Madrid; he needs to deal with ankle inflammation, but there is no risk of him missing the FIFA World Cup.