Trending Now - Argentina Coach Confirms Messi Will Start Against Zambia

WHO:

ESPN - Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will start.

ESPN - Lionel Messi is the player in question.

ESPN - Argentina is the national team involved.

WHAT:

ESPN - Messi will start the friendly match against Zambia.

ESPN - Messi was used as a halftime substitute in the previous match against Mauritania, which Argentina won 2-1.

ESPN - Scaloni stated that he will use the friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia to determine the 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ESPN - Argentina defeated Mauritania, ranked 115th in the FIFA rankings, by a score of 2-1.

ESPN - Scaloni mentioned that he has a clear list of players but will make decisions based on performance.

WHERE:

ESPN - The friendly match against Zambia will take place at La Bombonera.

ESPN - Argentina will debut in Group J against Algeria in Kansas City.

WHEN:

ESPN - The friendly match against Zambia is scheduled for March 31st, 2026.

ESPN - Argentina's World Cup debut is on June 16th, 2026.

ESPN - Argentina will face Austria on June 22nd, 2026, and Jordan on June 27th, 2026.

WHY:

ESPN - Scaloni aims to analyze performances in the friendlies to finalize the World Cup roster.

ESPN - Scaloni expressed the desire for Messi to enjoy the World Cup, which may be his last.

HOW:

ESPN - Scaloni plans to discard options for the World Cup roster based on player performance in the friendlies.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 19:21 UTC)

Argentina's national team manager, Lionel Scaloni, has confirmed that Lionel Messi will start in the friendly match against Zambia, scheduled for March 31st, at La Bombonera. This follows Messi's role as a halftime substitute in Argentina's recent 2-1 victory over Mauritania, with Scaloni using these friendlies to finalize the 26-player roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Argentina will make their World Cup debut June 16th, against Algeria in Kansas City, and Scaloni hopes to ensure Messi enjoys what may be his final tournament.