Argentina returned to the top of FIFAs rankings on Friday but perhaps the best news for head coach Lionel Scaloni was captain Lionel Messis participation in a small-sided training session before the holders face Honduras 65 places below them, and not involved in the World Cup in Honduras.Messi appeared to have a hamstring issue when he was replaced during his last match for Inter Miami before the World Cup on May 25, although the Herons described it as muscle fatigue and the striker appears to be in contention to face Algeria in their opening match of the tournament on June 17 (02:00 BST).With a match against Iceland in Alabama on Tuesday as their final fixture before the group stage, Lionel Scalonis side are unlikely to be unduly tested as the former international attempts to finesse his strategy, which features numerous members of the squad who triumphed in 2022.Angel Di Maria, the joint-third highest cap-holder in the nations history, is an exception following the wingers retirement after the 2024 Copa America, while Scalonis injury concerns in attack have been compounded by Julian Alvarezs ankle discomfort.Honduras finished second to Haiti in the third round of South American qualifying, beating the section winners 3-0 at home last October but then losing 2-0 in Nicaragua and drawing 0-0 in Costa Rica.A better result in either match would have sent Honduras to the play-offs. Their elimination signalled the end of a second spell in charge for Reinaldo Rueda, who earned his country their third ever point at the finals with a 0-0 draw against Switzerland in 2010 following a 1-0 defeat to Chile and 2-0 loss to Spain at those finals.Jose Francisco Molina has succeeded Rueda, with the former Atletico Madrid goalkeepers first game in charge a 2-2 draw with Peru, representing the first time in 11 games that Honduras had conceded more than once.We want to be the protagonists with the ball, said Molina, via the Honduran Football Federation. We want to dominate the game with possession, be incisive and reach the opposition area, be aggressive defensively and win the ball back.We want to be a team who, when the opponent dominates us, is strong and close to the area and compact. We want many things; this is a process that we will try to implement.Table of ContentsArgentina v Honduras team newsArgentina v Honduras predicted line-upsWhere to watch Argentina v Honduras: TV channel, live online streamArgentina v Honduras statsArgentina v Honduras predictionArgentina v Honduras team newsMessi and Alvarez will not be involved. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has returned to training after breaking a finger and defender Cristian Romero is recovering from a knee injury.Juan Musso and Geronimo Rulli are competing to stand in for Martinez. Right-back Gonzalo Montiel has been dealing with a muscle tear and attacking midfielder Nico Paz has a bruised knee.Honduras have spent a week described as intense in camp in Houston, where their only reported absentee was forward Alenis Vargas, who is awaiting the delivery of his passport by authorities.Marathon left-back Jose Aguilera received a late call-up, joining the squad on Wednesday.Argentina v Honduras predicted line-upsArgentina starting XI: Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martinez, Giuliano SimeoneHonduras starting XI: Edrick Menjivar, Cristopher Melendez, Giancarlos Sacaza, Kervin Arriaga, Clinton Bennett, Dereck Moncada, Alejandro Reyes, Luis Palma, Joseph Rosales, Rigoberto Rivas, Jorge BengucheWhere to watch Argentina v Honduras: TV channel, live online streamKick-off on Sunday is at 01:00 BST (20:00 on Saturday ET / 17:00 on Saturday PT). The match is not being shown live in the UK. In the US, live coverage is on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes (Spanish-language).Argentina v Honduras statsAll three meetings between the nations have been friendly victories for Argentina, winning 3-1 in San Pedro Sula in 2003, 1-0 in San Juan in 2016 and 3-0 in Miami in 2022Lionel Messi scored twice in their most recent meeting, proceeding to lead his country to World Cup glory that year despite losing their opening fixture at the finals in Qatar 2-1 to Saudi ArabiaArgentina have won their last 14 matches played in the US (including friendlies) since a 0-0 draw with Chile in Los Angeles in September 2019They have won nine of their last 11 matches (including friendlies), with their only defeat coming by the only goal of the game away to Ecuador in World Cup qualifying in September after they had already reached the finalsLautaro Martinez (2) is the only player to have scored more than one of Argentinas last nine goalsJordan Leforts 94th-minute reply for Mauritania in Argentinas 2-1 friendly win in Buenos Aires in March ended the World Cup holders run of more than six hours and 48 minutes without concedingLa Albiceleste have scored in 26 of their 27 matches (including friendlies) since a 2-0 defeat at home to Uruguay in qualifying in November 2023Honduras had gone more than six hours and 44 minutes without scoring before a 2-2 draw with Peru in a friendly in Leganes in MarchThey have lost one of their last seven matches including friendlies (D4), keeping five clean sheets along the wayIncluding friendlies, Honduras have won seven of their last 26 matches in the US (D6 L13)Argentina v Honduras predictionArgentina 2-1 HondurasMolinas remarks and first match in charge suggest Honduras matches could run against low-scoring form during his tenure. Los Catrachos may be prepared to put more on the line than an Argentina side without their superstar and his most obvious deputy in attack, so this could be closer than those rankings appear. Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexis Mac Allister Argentina National Football Team Cristian Romero Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup Honduras National Football Team Lionel Messi Lionel Scaloni Rodrigo de Paul World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Embolo to link up with Switzerland World Cup squad after visa issue resolved Nicholas McGee 5th June, 2026 Lego World Cup trophy: Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr and the story behind their 2026 ad Ben Miller 3rd June, 2026 Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr: Behind the scenes on Lego World Cup trophy ad 2026 Ben Miller 3rd June, 2026 2026 World Cup on TV: Which England and Scotland games are on BBC and ITV including live streams, kick off times Blake Hurst 3rd June, 2026 World Cup 2026 Group E: Preview, prediction, players to watch, fixtures and TV details Blake Hurst 3rd June, 2026 Lukaku scores 90th Belgium goal in impressive win over Croatia Nicholas McGee 2nd June, 2026
