Julián Álvarez available and an option for Argentina’s opener
The Argentina national team arrives at its World Cup debut with Julián Álvarez cleared to play despite the discomfort he has been carrying over the past few weeks. In the buildup against Argelia, Messi also looked fully fit in the final training session, and the Scaloneta is fine-tuning details to defend the crown.
There are less than 24 hours left until Argentina begins the defense of the title at the Mundial 2026, and the main headline is Julián Álvarez: the striker is available and an option for the opener against Argelia. At the same time, Lionel Messi looked in top form in the final training session and left a reassuring image for the national team on the eve of the debut.
Julián Álvarez, ready for the opener
The information circulating in the buildup indicates that the attacker is dealing with a controlled situation after the discomfort of recent weeks, but he was still left available for Lionel Scaloni for the opening match of Grupo J. For a national team defending the crown won at Qatar 2022, Julián’s presence adds a major attacking alternative.
That is no minor detail: in the pre-match coverage, different outlets highlighted that the former River man appears as one of the attacking options to accompany the World Cup start. The focus is on how Scaloni manages the available pieces in a setting of maximum demand.
According to information released in the buildup, Julián Álvarez “is available and an option” for Argentina’s opener.
Messi, the pulse of the Scaloneta before Argelia
The other major image of the day came from the final practice session. Messi trained normally and, according to reports, was fully fit in the session before the debut. That fits the mood around the national team: a mix of focus, confidence, and the sense that the core remains the same.
Argentina arrives at this start with much of the familiar structure from the Scaloni era, with the habit of competing at the highest level and with the captain as the standard-bearer. In that context, the message Messi himself posted on social media during the day further raised expectations around the opener.
Among the names that also stand out in the buildup are:
- Lionel Messi, captain and team محور.
- Lautaro Martínez, identified as an attacking partner against Argelia.
- Julián Álvarez, available for the debut.
Argelia, with a warning and no complexes
On the other side, Argelia has already made it clear it does not intend to be overawed by the setting or the opponent’s pedigree. Their coach, Vladimir Petkovic, praised Argentina, said he has no plan to neutralize Messi, and stressed that his team will compete with respect and effort.
Vladimir Petkovic said that Argelia did not come to the World Cup “to play the extras.”
The message is clear: the opening of Grupo J is not shaping up as a mere ceremony for the world champions. The opponent arrives intent on putting up a fight and showing they belong in a match that is drawing much of the day’s attention.
What’s next for the national team
The Scaloneta debuts this martes against Argelia with the goal of starting the defense of the crown on the right foot. The buildup left two important pieces of news: Messi is fine, and Julián Álvarez has been cleared to be an option for the opener.
With the squad already in World Cup mode, the national team enters the final stretch before a match that will open the road in Estados Unidos 2026 and kick off Argentine hopes once again.
