Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and will lead the title defence in the United States, Mexico and Canada later this month. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

Argentina prides itself on being more than just the world champion. Its biggest asset, rather, the most important crowd-puller, remains Lionel Messi – its captain and record goalscorer.

FOLLOW THE MATCH LIVE HERE: Argentina vs Iceland score; FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up real-time updates

However, the forward, now 38, might have age catching up with him. Having played regularly for Inter Miami this season, fatigue and a muscle strain have forced him to calculate his match-time in a way that he remains fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Probably that was the reason he remained on the bench against Honduras, despite the crowd chanting, “We want Messi!”

With Argentina now facing Iceland in its last warm-up clash before the World Cup, naturally, the question arises about the availability of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Will Lionel Messi play in Argentina vs Iceland FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match?

Yes, Lionel Messi is expected to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match between Argentina and Iceland.

“He is going to play against Iceland,” Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters before the match. “What I do not know is how many minutes. I still have to talk to him during training and see how many minutes he plays to avoid any kind of risk, but in principle, yes, he will get minutes,” he added.

Messi is one of the very few players to feature in six World Cups, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa. The coach explained that the World Cup-winning captain’s presence alone has an immense impact on the team.

“Hugely important, as always. Not just in the dressing room, when he’s on the pitch, everything he translates to his team-mates, the atmosphere he creates around him, is something incredible,” Scaloni said.

Published on Jun 10, 2026