Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni says his squad is relaxed despite injury scares ahead of their World Cup Group J opener against Algeria, with key players returning in time.
ARGENTINA head coach Lionel Scaloni says his squad remains relaxed ahead of their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J clash against Algeria, with several key players returning from injury concerns just in time for the tournament.
According to ESPN, Scaloni stressed that there is no panic within the camp despite the significance of the team’s opening fixture.
“Calm because it’s just a game of football. We have the experience of the last World Cup, the first game is not fundamental. It’s important, but it doesn’t end with the first game.
“We are good, we are calm. We are facing a good team with good players. But we are calm, we are arriving at a good moment,” he said.
The Albiceleste manager also confirmed that captain Lionel Messi, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and forward Julián Álvarez are all available for selection despite recent injury setbacks.
Messi had been managing a mild hamstring strain, while Álvarez was recovering from an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Martínez is expected to feature despite carrying a fractured ring finger.
“Everyone wants to see [Leo] Messi inside the field, playing. He excited everyone, not just Argentines,” Scaloni said.
“From my part, it’ll always be like that. I don’t see anything negative. He’s been in different conditions and has always been here. He’s always been monumental for us, and now he will be even more. I see him well.”
He also provided a positive update on Martínez and Álvarez ahead of the match.
“Emiliano is okay, Emiliano is available for tomorrow, if he does the same thing he did yesterday and the day before I think he will play … Julian had an ankle problem but his recovery has been good and for tomorrow he is available and an option.”
Scaloni revealed that left-back Nicolás Tagliafico is the only player still being monitored, although he remains hopeful that the defender will be fit enough to participate.
“I’ve always had difficulty [creating the starting 11] because of the quality of the players on the national team, beyond if we have an injured player which is not the case now,” he said.
“There are no injured players. We will just monitor the case of Nico Tagliafico, if he joins the team for training but in principle all players are available.
“I never had an inconvenience making the team. The inconvenience I did have was leaving behind great players, but equilibrium is principle. We play with 11 and we try to find equilibrium, so someone is left out but we are good.”
Argentina will kick off their World Cup campaign against Algeria on Tuesday (June 17) before facing Austria and Jordan in their remaining Group J matches.
The reigning world champions are expected to finalise their starting lineup following their final training session before the match.
In the latest update, renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Messi is set to be named in the starting XI.
All eyes will be on Argentina’s No. 10 as he prepares for a historic sixth World Cup appearance, widely seen as the 38-year-old legend’s ‘last dance’ on football’s biggest stage.
