Argentina v Iceland prediction, lineups & tips: Messi returns for World Cup dress rehearsal in Alabama

Argentina head into the final dress rehearsal before their FIFA World Cup 2026 title defence in confident mood, having won six consecutive games and with Lionel Messi confirmed to feature for the first time since picking up a hamstring complaint in May. The world champions face Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, on Wednesday, seven days before they open Group J against Algeria on June 16.

Lionel Scaloni's side topped the South American qualifying group by nine points and have not lost a friendly since 2019. Their two warm-up results this cycle tell their own story: a 6-0 rout of Puerto Rico and a 5-0 win over Zambia, followed by a 2-0 victory over Honduras on June 6 with Messi an unused substitute. Argentina have scored nine goals and conceded just one across this pre-tournament window.

The injury news is less serene. Defender Leonardo Balerdi was ruled out of the entire World Cup last week after confirming a soleus problem in his right leg. Scaloni addressed the Balerdi situation directly at his post-Honduras press conference, saying he has set this Iceland fixture as the deadline to decide on a replacement. Julian Alvarez is managing an ankle discomfort, while Leandro Paredes is working back from a muscle tear. Scaloni confirmed both are progressing but will not be risked tonight.

Iceland arrive having won just once in their last nine matches, a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan back in November 2025. Since then, they have drawn with Haiti and Canada, lost 4-0 to Mexico, fallen 2-0 to Ukraine, and were beaten 1-0 by Japan on May 31 in Tokyo through a late Koki Ogawa goal. They did not qualify for this summer's World Cup, finishing third in their European qualifying group, and this is their final fixture before a new UEFA Nations League campaign begins in September.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, Albert Gudmundsson and young striker Orri Oskarsson, who scored nine times in 20 La Liga appearances for Real Sociedad this season, are the headline names in Arnar Gunnlaugsson's travelling squad. Iceland drew 2-2 with France at home during World Cup qualifying and held Argentina to a 1-1 draw at the 2018 World Cup, the only previous meeting between these sides, but the current gulf in quality and form makes a repeat of either result unlikely.

Scaloni confirmed at his Monday press conference that Messi will play, though the exact number of minutes is to be determined. "Messi will play, I just don't know how many minutes," he said. "We will see how many to avoid any type of risks, but in principle, yes, he will get minutes." Scaloni also confirmed heavy rotation from the Honduras XI, with the priority on managing workloads and keeping everyone fit for the Algeria opener.

Scaloni has signalled significant changes from the Honduras side. Messi is likely to come off the bench or start and be substituted early. Romero and Lisandro Martinez are expected to resume at centre-back, with Tagliafico potentially making way for Facundo Medina at left-back after the veteran finished the Honduras game fatigued.

Argentina: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Almada, Lautaro Martinez, Messi

Iceland: Valdimarsson; Tomasson, Magnusson, Thordarson, Gretarsson; Ellertsson, Hlynsson, Baldursson, Thordarson; Gudmundsson, Oskarsson

Argentina v Iceland kicks off at 02:00 BST on Wednesday, 10 June 2026. In the UK, the match is available to stream live on ITVX. In the United States, coverage is on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Argentine fans can watch on TyC Sports.