Argentina is heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as defending champions with a chance to do something only Italy and Brazil have done before – win back-to-back titles. The squad is stacked, the stakes are high, and the base camp is set at Sporting Kansas City’s training complex in Kansas City, Kansas.
They’ll open their title defense at Arrowhead Stadium. But with the tournament just 10 days out, manager Lionel Scaloni has a few injury concerns to manage across the squad.
Argentina Injury Update: Messi, Martinez and More
Reporter Gastón Edul provided the latest picture of where things stand. Lionel Messi is dealing with a minor issue and isn’t expected to feature in the warm-up match against Honduras though he should be available for the Algeria friendly.
Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images
Emiliano Martínez has a very small fracture and will sit out both friendlies as he recovers over the coming days. Leandro Paredes is managing minor discomfort while Nicolás González has almost fully recovered from a muscle tear. Nahuel Molina is also nearing a return from a muscle injury of his own.
On the more positive side, Nico Paz avoided any setback and remains on track for the World Cup opener. Gonzalo Montiel wasn’t as fortunate, picking up a muscle tear that led to Agustín Giay and Nicolás Capaldo being added to the squad.
🚨 Argentina National Team injury news, per @gastonedul:
– Lionel Messi: He is carrying a minor issue. He is not expected to play in the friendly against Honduras, but will play against Algeria.
– Emiliano Martínez: Very small fracture. He will spend the next few days resting…— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) May 31, 2026
Scaloni has plenty to monitor, but the core of the group remains intact. The squad still features Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Cristian Romero, among others.
Messi’s Sixth World Cup
Messi turns 39 during the tournament and is currently managing muscle fatigue along with a minor strain in his left hamstring. The concerns are there, but so is the motivation. This will be his sixth World Cup appearance, a run that started back at the 2006 tournament in Germany and reached its peak with Argentina’s triumph in Qatar in 2022.
Another title would cement something that already feels almost impossible to top.
Argentina’s group-stage run begins June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City with an 8 p.m. CT kickoff. They move to Dallas for a June 22 matchup against Austria at Noon CT before wrapping up the group stage against Jordan on June 27 at 8 p.m. CT in Dallas.
Related: Injured Neymar Steals the Show After Brazil’s 6-2 Win Over Panama