Argentina team news vs Honduras: Scaloni drops Messi, Musso starts and right-back dilemma for pre-World Cup friendly

Who, what, when and why it matters: Lionel Scaloni will hold Lionel Messi back from the start as Argentina play Honduras tonight in a pre-World Cup friendly at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The Argentina manager has confirmed Juan Musso will start in goal as part of a wider squad management plan with several players being carefully monitored ahead of the 2026 World Cup, making tonight’s match an important chance to finalise tactical details and assess fringe options.

Why it matters: managing fitness before the World Cup

With the World Cup approaching, Scaloni is prioritising player fitness over a full-strength line-up in this tune-up. Messi’s return to partial training has not prompted a starting berth; the captain is being preserved for the tournament and may only make a brief, low-intensity cameo if required. Meanwhile, Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a muscle tear, leaving defensive options reduced and increasing the importance of tonight’s defensive selections.

Confirmed changes and selections

Scaloni confirmed Juan Musso will start in goal for Argentina against Honduras. Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez has returned to training but remains managed: he took part in exercises without gloves while recovering from a fractured finger, which influenced the decision to hand Musso the start. In midfield, the core trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister are reported as settled in the central engine room, with Thiago Almada expected to join them in creative roles.

Right-back dilemma and attacking options to watch

Argentina face a selection problem on the right flank. Right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel did not take part in on-pitch tactical work and are unavailable for tonight’s game. Scaloni rotated Nicolás Capaldo and Agustín Giay with the starting unit in final training sessions to arrive at a solution; Agustín Giay was included in the starting XI published by the report. Up front, the pairing alongside captain Lautaro Martínez was uncertain during the week. Giuliano Simeone had worked with Lautaro early in preparations, but in the last 24 hours momentum reportedly shifted towards José Manuel López as a potential starting partner. The published lineup in the report lists Giuliano Simeone starting alongside Lautaro.

• Lionel Messi is not in the starting XI and is being conserved for the World Cup; a late low-intensity appearance is possible.
• Juan Musso starts in goal; Emiliano Martínez trained but without gloves owing to a fractured finger.
• Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a muscle tear.
• Right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel did not take part in training and are unavailable; Capaldo and Giay were trialled.
• Midfield trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister are considered locked in; Thiago Almada expected to join them.

Tactical setup and what Argentina hope to learn tonight

The team that Scaloni deployed—according to the report—features a back four with Agustín Giay, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez and Nicolás Tagliafico. In front of them, Exequiel Palacios, Giuliano Simeone, Giovani Lo Celso and Valentín Barco are listed as part of the starting eleven that should give Scaloni a look at different attacking combinations and defensive balance without risking key injured players.

Tonight’s friendly is therefore functioning as both a final tactical rehearsal and a fitness test. The inclusion of younger or less-established internationals in key positions will provide Scaloni with real-game evidence on who can provide cover at the World Cup if last-minute injuries affect the first-choice XI.

What happens next and verification needed

This report presents a confirmed starting XI as published by World Soccer Talk’s pre-match coverage. However, readers should note that official match documents from Argentina or FIFA and any team-sheet issued shortly before kick-off are the definitive sources for the lineup and substitutions. Key elements to verify post-match include whether Messi made a substitute appearance, the final striker partnership used, and updates to the fitness statuses of Martínez, Molina, Montiel, Alvarez, Paredes and Nico Paz.

What it means: tonight is a low-risk, high-information exercise for Argentina ahead of the World Cup. The team will preserve its most precious asset—Messi—from unnecessary load while fielding a side that tests depth, addresses right-back absences and confirms which forwards and midfielders are ready to contribute on football’s biggest stage.