Defending champions Argentina will kick off their campaign in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 against Algeria on Wednesday, June 17 (as per IST). Ahead of their tournament opener, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni has dropped a big update on Lionel Messi and the team's lineup.
For those unaware, this is going to be the sixth World Cup where Messi is taking part, which is the joint-most by any player. The other player is Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who will also play in his sixth World Cup. However, coming back to Argentina, Scaloni has declared that Messi is perfectly fine to start against Algeria on Wednesday.
Other than Messi, star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and attacker Julian Alvarez are available to take part in the opener at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Lionel Messi to create history for Argentina
If Lionel Messi manages to start or come off the bench in Argentina's game against Algeria, then it will be his 200th appearance in international football, a milestone which is truly deserved by the Icon of the South American nation.
While opening up on Messi's availability, Scaloni asserted "everyone wants to see him inside the field," and revealed that the Argentine icon is doing "well."
Big task for Argentina
Despite Argentina entering the game with an upper hand, it will be a big task for the South-American side to claim all three points against Algeria, with keeping the recent games of the competition, a draw could be possible if the Lionel Messi-led side does not play with full intensity.