Lionel Messi and the three-time World Cup winners Argentina are set to hold two warm-up matches for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The first match is scheduled for June 6 against Honduras at Texas A&M, followed by a second match against Iceland on June 9 at Auburn, as confirmed by the federation on Thursday.
The June 6 game will take place at Kyle Field, marking only the second international soccer match in the venue’s history. The first was in June 2024, when Mexico faced Brazil, drawing an impressive crowd of 85,249 spectators.
“We are excited to welcome international soccer back to College Station,” said John Nichols, the mayor of College Station, in a news release. “Events like these highlight our capability to host global events, allowing our community and visitors to enjoy something truly special right here at home.”
On June 9, Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium will host the match against Iceland, making it the first-ever international soccer game in the stadium’s 87-year history.
“Having the reigning FIFA World Cup champions choose Auburn for their final match before defending their title is a remarkable achievement and a fantastic opportunity for both Auburn Athletics and Auburn University,” stated John Cohen, the director of athletics at Auburn, in a news release. “This exhibition match between Argentina and Iceland is sure to draw global attention to Auburn and our community.”
Argentina previously met Iceland in their only encounter during the 2018 World Cup opener in Russia, where they were unexpectedly held to a 1-1 draw.
Following these warm-up games, the defending champions will head to their training facility at Sporting KC, an MLS club, to prepare for their first matches in Group J: June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, June 22 against Austria in Arlington, Texas, and June 27 against Jordan in Arlington, Texas.