- Sport Tickets. Get the best tickets for sports events and more at Tickets MARCA
- Man Utd News. David Beckham backs Michael Carrick: He's the best manager for Manchester United
- 2026 FIFA World Cup USA. When will Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané return to action for Al Nassr?: Expected to be ready for the World Cup
Argentina continues its preparation for the 2026 North American World Cup, set to take place this summer across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. This week will also determine the final participants, as the last playoff matches conclude and complete the tournament field.
On home soil, the Albiceleste will face Zambia, and fans are eager to see their greatest idol, Lionel Messi. There had been significant uncertainty regarding what would happen ahead of the match and whether the Inter Miami star would be on the field.
The head coach of the Argentine national team has now cleared any doubts regarding the participation of the number ten, leaving supporters with a wide smile on their faces.
Lionel Messi will play against Zambia
National teams continue evaluating the final players who will compete for a place on the roster that will travel to the World Cup beginning June 11, 2026.
The first of these two FIFA date matches featured Argentina against Mauritania, a performance that did not leave Scaloni and his staff entirely satisfied. He observed several mistakes in his starting eleven that need correction.
It's a good sign that they realized the game wasn't good. "We have to find the motivation because we have a jersey that means a lot. The team showed consistency; we have a jersey that represents always giving our all.
The Argentine coach stated.
Argentina's final preparations
With all the team's stars available, no one is guaranteed a place, according to the coach's own words. Players must continue to push themselves to be considered for the final list.
I have the list pretty clear, but if the returns aren't adequate, we'll take action.
Scaloni said, adding that while he knows his players and has previous experience evaluating them, it does not guarantee their place in the squad.
We all know what it means to play the final matches. Those who have been with us for a while have an advantage because we know them; we have to maintain that advantage.
Argentina's final moments on the road to the 2026 World Cup
Finally, Scaloni addressed the current state of his players with just over two months remaining before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
He emphasized the importance of staying close to them and maintaining communication, while acknowledging the challenges involved. He also noted that the mental aspect plays a significant role, but that arriving in peak physical condition remains essential.
We try to stay close to them, keep talking. But it's complicated. Sometimes the mental aspect plays a big role. The important thing is that they arrive in good physical condition. "Tomorrow the boys we know are going to play; it's a good test. A familiar team is going to play. Let's see how it goes."
Regarding his future, he stated that it is a pleasure to serve as the head of the Argentine national team, a role that many aspire to hold.