International lineups, stats and previews, TV channel, live streaming and match predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Argentina returned to the top of the FIFA rankings on Friday but perhaps the best news for head coach Lionel Scaloni is the participation of captain Lionel Messi in a small-sided training session before the managers face Honduras – 65 places below them, and not involved in the World Cup – in Honduras.
Messi appeared to be suffering from a hamstring strain when he was taken off in Inter Miami’s final game before the World Cup on May 25, although the Herons described it as muscle fatigue and the striker appears to be in contention to face Algeria in their opening game of the tournament on June 17 (02:00 BST).
With the game against Iceland in Alabama on Tuesday as their last game before the group stage, Lionel Scaloni’s team is unlikely to be unfairly tested like previous international attempts to finesse his strategy, which includes many members of the 2022 winning team.
Angel Di Maria, who holds the highest title for the third time in the nation’s history, is an exception following the midfielder’s retirement after the 2024 Copa America, while Sceloni’s concerns in attack are compounded by Julian Alvarez’s ankle discomfort.
Honduras finished second to Haiti in the third round of South American qualifying, beating the group winners 3-0 at home last October but losing 2-0 to Nicaragua and drawing 0-0 in Costa Rica.
A better result in either game would have sent Honduras into the play-offs. Their relegation marked the end of Reinaldo Rueda’s second season in charge, who earned his country a third point in the finals with a 0-0 draw with Switzerland in 2010 following a 1-0 loss to Chile and a 2-0 loss to Spain in those finals.
Jose Francisco Molina replaced Rueda, with the goalkeeper’s first game for Atletico Madrid leading to a 2-2 draw with Peru, and for the first time in 11 matches Honduras has been conceded multiple times.
“We want to be the best football players,” said Molina, through the Honduran Football Federation. “We want to dominate the game by handling the ball, attacking and reaching the enemy’s territory, being aggressive in defense and winning the ball back.
“We want to be a team that if the enemy controls us, we will be strong and close to the area and hold each other. We want many things, this is the plan we will try to use.”
Argentina v Honduras team news
Messi and Alvarez will not be involved. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has returned to training after breaking his finger and defender Cristian Romero has recovered from a knee injury.
Juan Musso and Geronimo Rulli are competing to represent Martinez. Right back Gonzalo Montiel has been struggling with a muscle tear and midfielder Nico Paz has a knee injury.
Honduras spent what was described as a “bad” week in camp in Houston, where the only reported absence was forward Alenis Vargas, who is awaiting the delivery of his passport by the authorities.
Marathon left back Jose Aguilera received a late call-up, joining the team on Wednesday.
