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Argentina aims for World Cup success as Messi faces fitness concerns

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 12:15 PM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

Argentina aims for World Cup success as Messi faces fitness concerns

Summary

Argentina prepares for the 2026 World Cup, starting June 16 against Algeria, amid injury worries for several key players, including Lionel Messi. The tournament, co-hosted in the U.S. with Mexico and Canada, marks Messi's potential farewell to international soccer. Argentina won its last World Cup in 2022 and seeks to become the first team to win consecutive titles since Brazil in 1962. Coach Lionel Scaloni relies on a squad that includes 17 players from the 2022 championship team, though many are not at peak fitness. Messi’s match fitness remains in question after a hamstring issue, and other players like Emiliano Martínez and Cristian Romero are also recovering from injuries.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Argentina begins World Cup group stage on June 16 against Algeria.
•Messi is recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the tournament.
•Argentina won the Copa América in 2024 and topped qualifying.
•Scaloni addresses multiple players dealing with fitness issues.
•Ángel Di María's absence is notable as he retired from international play.

Latest Updates

12:15 PMYahoo Sports — Argentina seeks a glorious end to the Messi era with another World Cup title

What they're saying

"
Argentina has bitter memories of 1994, the last time the United States hosted the World Cup. After the second group stage match, national icon Diego Maradona was expelled from the tournament due to a positive doping test. Maradona would never play another World Cup match, and Argentina was eliminated in the round of 16.
— Yahoo Sportsby DÉBORA REY

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