SOCCER: Messi trains as Argentina start preparations for World Cup

Defending champions Argentina national football team have begun their World Cup preparations in Kansas City, with Lionel Messi training separately as he gears up for a record sixth World Cup appearance. The team will open their Group J campaign on June 16 against Algeria before facing Jordan and Austria.

Bhagya Ayyavoo/Reuters

June 04, 2026

SOCCER: Messi trains as Argentina start preparations for World Cup

Argentina's Lionel Messi during training, Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Argentina Training - Sporting KC Training Centre, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. - June 3, 2026.

Denny Medley/Reuters

Defending champions Argentina began their preparations for the World Cup at their training base in Kansas City on Wednesday (June 3).

Lionel Messi was seen training separately while the rest of the squad went through the practice routine. The ‌38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record.

Kansas City is among the smallest of the 11 U.S. host cities for the upcoming World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. Yet three of the top seeds - Argentina, England and the Netherlands - have chosen it as their base.

Argentina ⁠will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.

-Bhagya Ayyavoo/Reuters