According to The Sun, Argentina have arrived in the United States to begin preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
The Argentine team traveled approximately 5,500 miles from Buenos Aires to the United States. As the reigning World Cup champions, Argentina were the first team to arrive at their Kansas City base on Sunday morning local time.
Algeria, England, and the Netherlands are set to arrive at the nearby University of Kansas in about a week.
The Argentine team has booked the Origin Hotel in Berkeley Riverfront and plans to train at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center in Kansas City Sports.
The hotel has already been decorated in Argentina's blue and white colors, with police deployed around the area and large fences erected. Messi's image also appears on banners, indicating that the Argentine national team has checked in.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, updated social media with murals, photos, and portraits decorating the hotel corridors.
As the hotel prepares to host some of football's biggest stars, rumors continue to circulate. Reports have mentioned a smoothie bar, shoe-drying equipment, and large open spaces.
The Compass Minerals National Performance Center, located a 20-minute drive from the hotel, boasts facilities valued at approximately 56 million euros, including five full-size pitches, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, cryotherapy labs, and a gym spanning over 1,200 square meters.
It also has enough event space to host large banquets, corporate dinners, and even weddings if required.
Players' families are expected to stay at a nearby hotel.
Messi will stay in room 202. Once again, he will have a room to himself, just as he did at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Messi has not shared a room with a roommate since his friend Agüero retired in 2021.
The Argentine team's first night at their new Missouri base was not as quiet as expected, as a severe storm swept through the state, accompanied by tornado warnings.
Security fences, tents, and tarpaulins were blown everywhere, failing to protect the team's privacy. Reports stated that significant debris was left behind, and trees were also blown down within the premises.
However, this should not significantly affect the Argentine team. Argentina will still play World Cup warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland on June 6 and June 9, respectively.
Group J matches will kick off on June 17, with Argentina first facing Algeria, followed by Austria and Jordan.