Why Lionel Messi isn't starting Argentina friendly vs. Mauritania with World Cup status TBD

Argentina were forced to hastily rearrange their March international plans due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Finalissima showdown with Spain in Qatar was shelved and attempts to rearrange the fixture were ultimately fruitless.

A friendly against hosts Qatar was similarly infeasible, so La Albiceleste decamped to home soil for back-to-back games against African opponents Mauritania and Zambia at La Bombonera, the iconic home stadium of Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires.

However, Lionel Scaloni's reigning world champions are set to face Mauritania without Lionel Messi.

MORE: Argentina World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know

Why Lionel Messi isn't starting Argentina friendly vs. Mauritania

According to multiple reports prior to Friday's match, Messi will start on the bench against Mauritania.

Scaloni is keen to manage the veteran forward's minutes ahead of a busy summer schedule. Messi is expected to feature as a second-half substitute.

According to a report by Bolavip, Scaloni and his staff are also keen to see more of Nicolas Paz as a starter following the 21-year-old attacking midfielder's impressive performances for Como in Italy's Serie A.

Will Lionel Messi play World Cup 2026?

Although it seems infeasible that Messi would step aside with mere weeks to go before a World Cup in North America, having made his late-career home at Inter Miami,  his participation at the 2026 tournament is not set in stone.

Messi hasn't made his decision yet, according to Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni.

"That's a question more for him," Argentina boss Scaloni told  ESPN this week. "As far as I'm concerned, you already know where I stand. I'll do everything I can to make sure he's there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there. It's not me who decides. It's up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition. It's difficult because it is not just the Argentinians who want to see him; everyone wants to see him."

Scaloni added: "I want him to be there. It's up to him to decide. He's earned the right to make that decision with peace of mind. We're in no rush about it. We know whatever he decides will be best for the team and for him. We hope he will be there."

Messi is now 38 and has suffered a succession of niggling injuries over recent years, very much in line with his advancing age. His absence from the starting line-up against Mauritania will surely fuel some foreboding rumors, but the smart money remains on Messi leading Argentina out for the first match of their World Cup defense.

Argentina World Cup fixture schedule

Argentina begin their 2026 World Cup with a match against Algeria in Group J play.

The game will kick off on June 16, 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. That kickoff date is five days after the official start of the World Cup on June 11.

Argentina will then have matches against Austria and Jordan as they seek to secure a knockout-stage place

Argentina Group J World Cup schedule