Lionel Messi is coming to Auburn as Argentina’s men’s national team is set to face Iceland in an international friendly on June 9 at 7:30 p.m. CDT at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the school announced Thursday.
“To have the reigning FIFA World Cup champions choose Auburn as the site of their last match before defending their title represents a tremendous achievement and an incredible opportunity for Auburn athletics and Auburn University,” Auburn athletics director John Cohen said. “This exhibition between Argentina and Iceland will bring worldwide attention and exposure to Auburn and our community.”
This marks the first international soccer match played inside Auburn football’s home stadium and will be the final friendly before the defending World Cup champions take the pitch at Arrowhead Stadium for their opening Group J match against Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Besides Messi, Argentina, which won the World Cup in 1978, 1986 and 2022, features superstars Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid, Lautaro Martínez of Inter Milan and Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool.
Iceland did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, finishing third in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Group D behind France and Ukraine during the November 2025 qualifying matches.
This is a bold move by Argentina’s coaching staff as the match on The Plains is scheduled for seven days before its showdown in Kansas City. Their coaching staff is “prioritizing high-level competition to maintain intensity, even if that means taking a physical risk just days before the tournament begins.”
This is an exciting opportunity for Auburn fans to see one of the greatest soccer players of all-time in Messi, and the city is poised to benefit, with local hotels, restaurants and tourism likely to see a surge.
“We look forward to the exhibition between Argentina and Iceland and to welcoming visitors from around the world to experience Auburn’s world-class hospitality,” Auburn mayor Ron Anders said. “Athletic events have long been an economic driver for our community, boosting our local retailers, restaurants and hotels while providing a way for fans to have a special experience together in the heart of our city. We appreciate the hard work of Auburn athletics and Auburn University in bringing this event to Auburn.”
Most international soccer matches in the United States take place at multipurpose venues such as MetLife Stadium, SoFi Stadium and Levi’s Stadium. In contrast, Jordan-Hare Stadium is primarily used for Auburn football, and the presence of Messi and Argentina, combined with the large crowd expected, could create a unique atmosphere.
Tickets to The Road to 26 match start at $45 and go on sale Wednesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. CDT. Presale access begins Monday, April 13, at 10 a.m. CDT. For more information, click here.
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Rory is a sophomore majoring in journalism sports production. He started with The Plainsman in the spring of 2025.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @RorymGarvin
