Final test for the world champions in Alabama: prediction for Argentina vs Iceland - 10.06.2026
On Wednesday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, Argentina will play a friendly match against Iceland. For Lionel Scaloni’s squad, this is the last dress rehearsal before the World Cup kicks off, while the Icelanders will use this clash as a crucial test in their rebuilding process ahead of the autumn Nations League.
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Argentina: a tune-up match with no room for nerves
Argentina enters this fixture fresh off a 2-0 win over Honduras, with Scaloni giving a chance to the reserves and still getting a composed result. That victory extended Argentina’s unbeaten streak in friendlies to six matches, though there hasn’t truly been a stern test in this stretch.
The big news for the coaching staff is the full return of Lionel Messi, Nico Paz, and Nico González to training. Messi missed the Honduras game as a precaution after some muscle tightness, but he’s expected to get minutes against Iceland, even if not from the starting whistle. Even without Emiliano Martínez in goal, Argentina remains a side with an elite defensive foundation: over their last 14 matches, they’ve conceded just four goals and kept ten clean sheets.
Iceland: new manager, same underdog spirit
After a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, Iceland appointed a new manager: Arnar Gunnlaugsson replaced Åge Hareide. His start has been far from convincing—defeats to Mexico (0-4) and Japan (0-1), along with draws against Canada (2-2) and Haiti (1-1), don’t suggest rapid progress.
But the match against Argentina will be a different challenge for Iceland compared to some of their recent friendlies: key overseas players are back in the squad. The likes of Orri Óskarsson, Albert Guðmundsson, Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson, Stefán Teitur Þórðarson, and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson significantly boost the team’s quality. Iceland knows how to stand tall against favorites: in qualifying, they pushed France, losing 2-1 away and drawing 2-2 at home, and in 2024 they even stunned England 1-0.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Argentina has won its last six friendlies, most recently beating Honduras 2-0.
- Iceland under Arnar Gunnlaugsson has yet to win: two draws and two defeats in four friendlies.
- The last meeting between these teams was at the 2018 World Cup, when Iceland took points off Argentina in the group stage with a 1-1 draw.
Prediction
Argentina is the clear favorite not just in terms of names, but in their game structure as well. Scaloni’s team knows how to change the tempo, calmly control possession, defend smartly in a mid-block, and rarely allow the opposition much space near their penalty area.
Iceland, with its legionnaires, should look more organized than in some of their recent friendlies, but may lack the pace and quality in transitions to consistently threaten the Argentine defense. Most likely, the world champions will dominate possession, play pragmatically, and steer the match to a confident victory without unnecessary risks.
