Argentina secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling extra-time victory over Switzerland. The Albiceleste will face England in Atlanta on Wednesday. Ahead of the high-stakes match, Lionel Scaloni’s side have been training in Kansas City.
Having been on the field for more than 120 minutes in the quarter-final, the players are carrying significant fatigue. Coach Scaloni is therefore prioritising physical recovery above all else ahead of the semi-final. As a result, the starting XI were given full rest during training in Kansas City, with the session focused primarily on squad players and substitutes who featured against Switzerland.
One of the main concerns in the Argentine camp during training was Nicolás González. The midfielder is still experiencing discomfort after taking a boot to his left ankle during the Switzerland match. At the start of the session, while the rest of the squad worked with the ball in small-sided drills, González was seen stretching separately under close supervision from the medical staff. The encouraging news is that he was able to rejoin the group for light training after some time.
Argentina also received a boost regarding Cristián Romero and Leandro Paredes, both of whom were substituted during extra time due to physical problems. Nicolás Otamendi and José López came on in their respective places. The medical team confirmed that neither player is seriously injured — both were removed due to excessive fatigue and muscle strain rather than any structural damage.
Argentina are scheduled to remain in Kansas City until Monday morning before flying to Atlanta, the venue for the semi-final. Messi is set to train at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday. Coach Scaloni will also hold a pre-match press conference on that day.
