Scaloni stays – With Argentina defending their title starting against Algeria on June 16, coach Lionel Scaloni says the team is “calm” and points to the 2022 World Cup as proof the first game doesn’t decide everything. Lionel Messi also returned to action in Argentina’s final
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lionel Scaloni didn’t sound like a coach bracing for a knockout moment. Ahead of Argentina’s June 16 group match against Algeria, the defending champions spoke as if the pressure they’re chasing is manageable.
“It’s a match of soccer,” Scaloni said. “We’ve got the experience in the last World Cup that the first match is not fundamental. It’s important, but we have the peace of knowing things won’t end with the first game.”
He added: “We’re good. We’re calm. We’re going to face a very good team that has great players, but we’re good. We’re confident and come in well.”
The calm is rooted in what happened the last time Argentina opened a tournament with a stumble. In 2022, the Albiceleste lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in a group match, then followed with six consecutive victories to win the World Cup for the third time.
Scaloni’s confidence is also shaped by what the team has seen in the final stretch of preparation. After star attacker Lionel Messi left the final Inter Miami match before the World Cup break with an injury. Messi returned for Argentina’s final pre-tournament friendly and played 20 minutes. He scored from the penalty spot in a 3-0 victory.
There are only limited questions about fitness. Scaloni said starting goalkeeper Dibu Martinez has been training. and Nicolás Tagliafico has not—despite that. he emphasized there are few concerns about injuries across the squad. “I always have difficulty because of the level the players in the national have. beyond whether a player is hurt. which isn’t the case. There are no injures,” Scaloni said. “We’re going to see if Nicolás Tagliafico does work with the full group, but everyone’s is there. There are no injuries.”.
Instead of having to replace injured players. Scaloni described his real headache as something else: leaving high-level performers out of the starting XI because different options fit different needs against Algeria. “I never had inconveniences. or the ones I have are leaving out players who are great players. but ultimately what we’ve always said is that balance is above all. We play with 11, look for that balance and someone has to be left out, but we’re good.”.
Even if it’s not yet certain whether Messi will earn his first start for Argentina since March 31 against Zambia. center back Nicolás Otamendi said the mood around him is strong. “He’s a simple guy who enjoys the camps, the training. He prepares for this,” Otamendi said of Messi. “He’s a competitive animal. and that makes you keep pushing. not relax. try always to be with him. support him. help him. we laugh together. I think once the ball is rolling. that’s where we have to come together as a family on the field.”.
The storyline running through Scaloni’s comments is straightforward: Argentina know how quickly a tournament can swing. and they also know that an opening match can be survived—even after a loss. The defending champions will still try to avoid another slip-up. but at this stage of the tournament. they’re clearly prepared for the reality that momentum can be rebuilt.
Argentina Lionel Scaloni Algeria 2026 World Cup Lionel Messi Dibu Martinez Nicolás Tagliafico Nicolás Otamendi Inter Miami Kansas City FIFA World Cup