Argentina, the reigning world champion, is set to play its penultimate warm-up match before the start of the World Cup, facing Honduras on Saturday, June 6, at 9 p.m. Brasília time at Kyle Field in Texas, United States. The match is part of the final stage of preparation for Lionel Scaloni’s team, which will also meet Iceland on Tuesday, June 9, before making its tournament debut.
The Argentine squad is using these last friendly matches to fine-tune the lineup and manage the fitness of several players. Lionel Messi remains doubtful after continuing to recover from muscle discomfort. He has been doing light work alongside the physiotherapist, and his availability for the match against Honduras is still uncertain. In addition to Messi, Nico Paz, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes trained separately from the rest of the squad. Forward Julián Álvarez also stayed in the gym while continuing his physical treatment.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, known as Dibu, is also being monitored closely after suffering a fracture in his right hand. He took part in specific training exercises using only his left hand and kept two fingers immobilized. Despite the medical caution, the expectation is that Martínez will be ready for Argentina’s World Cup debut. At 33, the Aston Villa goalkeeper remains one of the team’s key leaders and a central figure in the squad that won the 2022 World Cup.
On a more positive note, Cristian Romero and Thiago Almada trained normally and are no longer considered concerns for the coaching staff as the team continues its preparation.
The session also brought opportunities for players from Palmeiras. Agustín Giay and Flaco López were included among the starters in Scaloni’s training lineup ahead of the friendly against Honduras. Giay filled one of the defensive spots even though he was not included in the final 26-man World Cup roster. The full-back traveled with the delegation to help complete training sessions because of the large number of absences in the squad.
Argentina is placed in Group J for the World Cup. The team will begin its campaign against Algeria on June 16, then face Austria, and conclude the group stage against Jordan. The match against Honduras will be broadcast on ESPN in pay TV and on Disney+ via streaming.
According to the projected lineups, Argentina should start with Gerónimo Rulli in goal; Giay, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez and Tagliafico in defense; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister and Almada in midfield; and Flaco López alongside Lautaro Martínez in attack. Honduras is expected to line up with Menjivar; Meléndez, Sacaza, Arriaga and Mencía; Reyes, Rosales and Palma; Rodríguez, Rivas and Benguché, under coach José Francisco Molina.
