Iceland’s coach and captain share the one thing they’re hoping happens against Argentina
Both Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Orri Óskarsson expressed their desire to see Lionel Messi take the field Tuesday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the final friendly before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Olivia Bennett 
The eyes of the soccer world turn to Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium this Tuesday night. In a final friendly showdown before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reigning champions Argentina are set to take the pitch against Iceland in a match that has the visitors feeling more than a little starstruck.
The Messi Factor
At the center of the pre-match conversation is the legendary Lionel Messi. While the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is slated to be in attendance, a memorandum of understanding obtained by 205focus.com notes that the superstar is only contractually obligated to be present—not necessarily to play. Argentine fans saw this scenario play out recently during a friendly against Honduras at Texas A&M, where Messi only participated in warmups.
A Bucket List Moment
Iceland head coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson made no secret of his personal desire to see the icon in action. While Gunnlaugsson is laser-focused on the elite tactical challenges Argentina poses—praising their ability to defend, attack, and execute a disciplined mid-block—he admitted to a softer side.
"Just for my personal bucket list, I hope (Lionel Messi) will play some minutes. So, I can tell my grandchildren about that someday," Gunnlaugsson told media after Monday's practice. "But if he’s not playing, we are preparing for that."
Young Stars Look Up
The sentiment is shared by Iceland captain Orri Óskarsson. At just 21 years old, Óskarsson—who has tallied nine goals for his national team since 2023—grew up idolizing the Argentine forward.
"Of course, I won’t hide that Messi is my favorite player of all time," said the young captain. "For us as young players who have looked up to him since we were born, it’s a great opportunity to match yourself against the best."
Kickoff Information
Whether or not the world's most famous player takes the field, fans can expect a competitive atmosphere as both teams fine-tune their rosters for the World Cup. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT.
