Pre-World Cup 2026 friendlies: Argentina-Iceland, likely lineups

Final World Cup tests for defending champion Argentina. At Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, the Albiceleste faces Iceland in a strategic friendly for Scaloni, useful to sharpen the mechanisms before the rainbow debut. On the other hand, the blue-and-white selection (left out of the 2026 World Cup and fresh from the 1-0 loss to Japan) will use the American showcase as a prestigious test to start the re-foundation after a period of deep crisis, only one win in the last nine outings.

The oddsmakers’ favorites are all for the South Americans, on the strength of six consecutive wins, including the recent 2-0 win over Honduras. Argentina dominated the qualifying round by finishing on top with 38 points and is especially impressive at the back, with five clean sheets in their last six matches. Scaloni rejoins Lionel Messi among the summonses after a hamstring problem, but the Inter Miami star will start from the bench to put minutes in his legs only in the final. There will be space between the posts for Musso, as Emiliano Martinez has just returned to the group after a fractured finger, while the Lautaro Martinez-Almada tandem will act in attack.

On the opposite front, Icelandic coach Gunnlaugsson will rely on a decidedly cautious set-up. A thick defensive line to protect Valdimarsson and a low center of gravity to contain the Argentine flurries, with young Oskarsson isolated forward as the only forward in an attempt to sting on the restart.

Probable formations

ARGENTINA (4-4-2): Musso; Giay, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Gonzalez; Lautaro Martinez, Almada. Ct: Scaloni.

ISLAND (5-4-1): Valdimarsson; Thorhallsson, Gretarsson, Hermannsson, Magnusson, Tomasson; Ellertsson, G. Thordarson, Baldursson, Gudmundsson; Oskarsson. Ct: Gunnlaugsson.