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Argentina Group Stage Schedule (June 2026)
Upcoming fixtures for Argentina in the World Cup group stage.
Primary Sources
Messi at the World Cup: Inter Miami injury update, substitution
Messi asks for a substitution and walks off, feeling his hamstring weeks ahead of Argentina's World Cup title defence.
Lionel Messi injury: Argentina star exits Inter Miami match days before ...
He exited Inter Miami’s high-scoring thriller with the Philadelphia Union with an apparent hamstring injury, sparking concern ahead of the upcoming World Cup in June May 24, 2026 at 9:32 pm ET • 1 min read Getty Images As Major League Soccer begins to take a break for the World Cup, there's a spot of concern for Inter Miami, and by extension, the Argentina national team, as Lionel Messi left the Herons' 6-4 victory against the Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute on Sunday. He appeared to grab at his hamstring before interim manager Guillermo Hoyos withdrew the Argentine number 10 for Mateo Silvetti. When Messi was taken out, he went straight down the tunnel to be examined. Already registering two assists during a match that saw a league-record eight goals scored in a half, the 38-year-old continues to show what he can bring to a game ahead of an attempt to win back-to-back World Cups with his nation. Argentina won't play their first game of the World Cup until June 16 against Algeria, so there is time to recover if Messi is hurt, without him needing to miss group stage games. Their other group stage games see La Albiceleste face Austria on June 22 before closing out the group stage facing Jordan on June 27.A player who knows his body, the substitution could be precautionary before Messi does more damage trying to play more than he should when already feeling pain.Before the group stage kicks off, Argentina will also face Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9, as Lionel Scaloni will have tune-up friendlies to get ready for the World Cup, where he'll be able to determine where Messi's fitness is ahead of time. With MLS going on a break for the tournament, Messi will enter the World Cup having scored 12 goals and assisted eight more in only 13 appearances. Messi missing time for Argentina wouldn't be anything new, despite it not happening all that much. He has been rested at times by Scaloni and came out of the 2024 Copa America final with an injury. Argentina went on to beat Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra time goal from Lautaro Martinez, with Messi winning that competition for the second time.
Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami star grabs at leg, exits MLS ...
Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami star grabs at leg, exits MLS game weeks before World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Lionel Messi is hoping for one last ride to a championship as he prepares for what is fully expected to be his last World Cup, but an apparent injury suffered Sunday night could throw a wrench into Argentina's plans.AdvertisementMessi grabbed at the back of his leg and asked for a substitute before walking off the field after a free kick against Philadelphia Union on Sunday.Inter Miami was playing its final game before the World Cup when Messi exited. The MLS season is set to break through July 16, beginning Monday.Here's what you need to know about Messi's injury and when his first World Cup game would be.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsMessi grabbed the back of his leg and asked for a substitute after a free kick during Inter Miami's match against Philadelphia Union on Sunday night. He appeared to walk back without any significant limp.The back of the leg is where the hamstring is located, but Messi's exact injury wasn't immediately clear.AdvertisementInsider Fabrizio Romano reported Inter Miami will "assess" the injury. After the match, coach Guillermo Hoyos said the club was still evaluating Messi but said the star was "fatigued" during the game."I still don’t have information on this [injury]. Soon we will have it," Hoyos said. "Truthfully, he is fatigued."Inter Miami was even with Philadelphia in a high-scoring affair at the time of the injury but went on to win 6-4 after Messi's exit.MORE:Full schedule of games for Group J, featuring ArgentinaWhen does the World Cup begin?Argentina's World Cup journey is set to begin on June 16 with a match against Algeria in Kansas City. That's 23 days, or a little more than three weeks, from Sunday night's apparent injury.AdvertisementArgentina hasn't revealed its World Cup roster yet, but Messi is set to be a focal point of the squad even at this late stage of his international career.MORE:When will Argentina announce World Cup roster?How old is Lionel Messi?Messi is 38 years old and will turn 39 in June, right in the middle of group play during Argentina's World Cup run.Even as he nears 40, Messi is considered an outstanding player and is coming off back-to-back MLS MVP seasons. Messi fully expects this year's World Cup to be his last.
Lionel Messi Injury Scare For Argentina Ahead Of FIFA World Cup
Inter Miami coach said Messi's substitution was precautionary amid heavy pitch conditions and fatigue Injury to Messi would be a major setback for Argentina ahead of the World Cup starting June 11
