Lionel Messi’s fitness has dominated the headlines, but Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is dealing with a far deeper injury crisis as he finalises his 2026 World Cup squad. With the tournament just weeks away, the defending champions are scrambling to get key players fit in time for their Group J opener.
Messi Hamstring Concern — How Serious Is It?
Lionel Messi was forced off in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union on Sunday after picking up muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The six-time World Cup participant is not expected to be ruled out of the tournament, but he will not arrive at Argentina’s pre-tournament training camp in Buenos Aires in peak condition.
Scaloni addressed the situation on Tuesday, saying the initial updates are not entirely bad but confirmed the squad must wait for further test results before knowing the full picture. Inter Miami confirmed on Monday that Messi’s return to play would depend entirely on how he progresses over the coming days and weeks.
This will be Messi’s sixth and likely final World Cup, making his fitness one of the most closely watched stories of the entire tournament.
Argentina’s Injury List — Every Player at Risk
Messi is far from the only concern. Scaloni confirmed that multiple key players are currently working through injury problems ahead of the squad announcement deadline of June 2.
Emiliano Martinez — Fractured Finger Qatar 2022 hero and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez fractured his right ring finger during warmups for last week’s Europa League final. Despite the injury he played the full match as Villa beat Freiburg. He is expected to be fit for Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.
Cristian Romero — Knee Ligament Sprain Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero is racing against time to recover from a ligament sprain in his right knee. He is one of Argentina’s most important defenders and his availability will be monitored closely right up to the squad announcement.
Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel — Muscle Injuries Both projected right-backs in Scaloni’s plans are currently nursing muscle injuries. Atletico Madrid’s Nahuel Molina and River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel will need to prove their fitness before the tournament begins.
Nico Paz — Knee Injury Como midfielder Nico Paz missed his club’s final Serie A match of the season due to a knee injury. The 21-year-old has been one of the breakout stars of the season and his fitness will be closely tracked.
Nicolas Gonzalez — Muscle Tear Atletico Madrid winger Nicolas Gonzalez is in the final stages of recovery from a muscle tear and is also a doubt for the early stages of the tournament.
Scaloni Calls Up Fresh Faces for Warmup Matches
With so many first-choice players unavailable for Argentina’s pre-tournament friendlies, Scaloni has expanded his squad for warmup matches against Honduras on June 6 at Texas A&M Stadium and Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama.
The new call-ups are:
- Santiago Beltran — Goalkeeper (River Plate)
- Joaquin Freitas — Winger (River Plate)
- Tomas Aranda — Midfielder (Boca Juniors)
- Simon Escobar — Midfielder (Velez Sarsfield)
- Ignacio Ovando — Defender (Rosario Central)
- Nicolas Capaldo — Full-back (Hamburg)
- Agustin Giay — Full-back (Palmeiras)
Scaloni made clear these players are being called up as cover during the injury-risk window between the squad announcement and Argentina’s first match — not as replacements for established names.
Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Schedule — Group J
The defending champions will base themselves at Sporting KC’s training facility, arriving on June 1. Their Group J fixtures are:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Algeria | Kansas City |
| June 22 | Austria | Arlington, Texas |
| June 27 | Jordan | Arlington, Texas |
Can Argentina Defend Their Title?
Despite the injury concerns, Argentina remain one of the favourites to defend their World Cup crown. The squad has depth in most positions and Scaloni has shown throughout his tenure that he can adapt his system to the players available.
The key question remains Messi. If the 38-year-old can recover in time and hit peak form, Argentina will be feared by every team in the tournament. If he is limited or unavailable for the group stage, the pressure on the rest of the squad increases significantly.
All injured players will be assessed right up to the June 2 FIFA deadline, at which point Scaloni will name his final tournament roster.
FAQs
Is Messi fit for the 2026 World Cup? Messi is suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring but is not expected to miss the tournament. His availability for Argentina’s opening match against Algeria on June 16 will depend on how he progresses over the coming weeks.
When do Argentina play their first World Cup match? Argentina open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. They then face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, both in Arlington, Texas.
Who is injured in Argentina’s World Cup squad? Key injury concerns include Lionel Messi (hamstring), Emiliano Martinez (fractured finger), Cristian Romero (knee ligament), Nahuel Molina (muscle), Gonzalo Montiel (muscle), Nico Paz (knee) and Nicolas Gonzalez (muscle tear).
Where is Argentina’s World Cup base camp? Argentina will base themselves at Sporting KC’s training facility, arriving on June 1 ahead of their tournament opener on June 16.
