Just two days remain until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off: the tournament opens on June 11 with the match Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while the final will take place on July 19 in New York. For the first time in history, 48 national teams are competing, split into 12 groups of four. A record 104 matches will be played over 39 days.
Argentina: Messi Under Medical Supervision
The biggest concern of the pre-tournament week is the fitness of Argentina captain Lionel Messi. The 38-year-old forward has been training separately from the main group at the team's camp in Kansas City, recovering from a muscular overload in his left thigh. The Argentine Football Federation stated that "players with minor injuries continue to perform specialized exercises with physiotherapists and are showing positive progress." The coaching staff expects Messi to be ready for the Group J opener against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.
In addition to Messi, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (fractured finger on his right hand) and Leandro Paredes are also training apart from the main group, though both are expected to be fit before the tournament begins. On a positive note, Nico Paz completed his first full training session with the squad after a knee injury, while Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel have returned to group training. Defender Julián Álvarez and Cristian Romero have fully recovered and are ready to play from the first match. Meanwhile, Leonardo Balerdi has been officially ruled out: on June 6, the Federation confirmed he suffered a right leg muscle injury during training.
Netherlands: Timber Leaves Camp
The Netherlands have suffered a significant personnel blow: Jurriën Timber has left the squad due to a chronic groin injury. The federation announced that the 24-year-old defender "has not recovered sufficiently to participate in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner." He has been replaced by Lutsharel Geertruida — a decision confirmed on June 8. The Dutch had already previously lost Matthijs de Ligt (back surgery) and Stefan de Vrij.
Brazil: Wesley Out, Ederson In
Brazil have also made changes to their squad: Wesley has been ruled out after medical tests confirmed an adductor muscle injury to his left thigh, sustained during a friendly against Egypt. The 22-year-old defender has been replaced by Ederson from Atalanta — a 26-year-old midfielder who contributed three goals and three assists in 41 appearances last season. Brazil open Group C against Morocco on June 13. There are also doubts over Neymar's availability for the first match: according to ESPN, the Seleção's medical staff are assessing a calf muscle injury the forward sustained on May 17.
Other Injuries and Squad Changes
- Germany: 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karll has been ruled out with a torn thigh muscle sustained in training. He has been replaced by 20-year-old Assan Ouédraogo from RB Leipzig.
- Portugal: Rafael Leão received a red card in a friendly against Chile (a 2–1 win), but the suspension does not carry over to the tournament — friendly matches are not counted. Portugal open Group K against DR Congo on June 17.
- Spain: Coach Luis de la Fuente expects Lamine Yamal to be ready for the opening match against Cape Verde on June 15, though his workload may be limited.
- Canada: The availability of left back Alphonso Davies for the first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina remains uncertain due to a hamstring injury.
New Rules and FIFA Decisions
FIFA has announced changes to the pre-match ceremony: all players named in the matchday squad will gather in the center circle during the national anthems — "so that every player, not just the starting eleven, can experience this symbolic moment of pride." FIFA has also lifted the full ban on plastic water bottles: fans will be allowed to bring sealed, single-use bottles into stadiums in the United States and Canada, while reusable bottles remain prohibited.
The tournament promises to be the biggest in football history. The reigning champions are Argentina, who defeated France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final. The bookmakers' favorites remain Argentina, Brazil, France, Spain, England, Germany, and Portugal.
