'It doesn't get bigger than this': Auburn hosts Argentina, Iceland on Road to '26 World Cup

by Jeff Shearer
'It doesn't get bigger than this': Auburn hosts Argentina, Iceland on Road to '26 World Cup'It doesn't get bigger than this': Auburn hosts Argentina, Iceland on Road to '26 World Cup
Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, Ala. – For Tigers’ coach James Armstrong, sharing the Auburn Soccer Complex with teams bound for this summer’s World Cup is a privilege.

“We’re more than happy to share our facility with either Iceland, Argentina or both,” Armstrong said. “Once the announcement came today, our soccer players were beyond happy, thrilled. We’ve got a great soccer facility here at Auburn so I’m sure they’ll love playing on it and training on it when they get into town.”

The defending World Cup champion, Argentina arrives on campus in two months to play Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium June 9 on the Road to ’26 buildup to the World Cup.

“This is the biggest event that we could ask for,” Armstrong said. “We’ve got the world champions coming, arguably the greatest men’s player of all time right here in our community, seven days before they start their World Cup.

“Iceland is a really good team as well. The Auburn soccer community, the Southeast soccer community, but also people who have maybe never watched a soccer game before want to come and experience the magic of Jordan-Hare Stadium for a night game. It doesn’t get bigger than this.”

Veteran soccer broadcaster Jamie Watson, a former professional player for 12 years, emceed Thursday’s announcement at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“It’s a massive deal,” Watson said. “The final match for Argentina before they begin their defense as world champions in the FIFA Men’s World Cup. To be able to land the match here – we’re standing on this very pitch – some of the biggest stars in the world will be playing right here. Their final tuneup for the biggest sporting event this world has ever seen, it’s no small feat how this all came together.

“It truly will be a historic event. It’s something I personally can’t wait to be in attendance of and be able to say, ‘Remember when we got to be here to watch it.’”

World Cup rosters will be set June 1, eight days before the exhibition match on the Plains, with the expectation that Argentina captain Lionel Messi will remain part of the team and compete at Jordan-Hare.

“That’s the full anticipation. That’s why he’s on the poster,” Watson said. “This is the best of the best. This could be the group, when it’s all said and done on July 19, that is lifting the World Cup trophy, and their final tuneup on the Road to ’26 could be right here in Auburn, is something truly special.”

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, April 15, for the general public following a pre-sale offer to Auburn University faculty, staff, students, donors, WarEagle+ members and football season ticket holders, with prices beginning at $45.

“If you love soccer, if you love Auburn, if you want to be a part of a history-making, one-of-a-kind event with one of the largest brands in the world and see with your own eyes some of the most popular athletes on the planet, we ask you and your family to purchase your tickets to be right here at Jordan-Hare Stadium two months from today for this incredible event,” Auburn deputy athletics director Rhett Hobart said. “To help us showcase to the world what makes this community, this University and a gameday inside Jordan-Hare Stadium so special.”

Hosting Argentina and Iceland is an honor, says Auburn athletics director John Cohen, but it’s also an opportunity to generate revenue, “which is extremely important in this era to meet the demands of this new world we live in.”

The same venue that’s showcased Heisman winners Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson and Cam Newton could soon be the stage for Lionel Messi.

“Since 1939, Jordan-Hare Stadium has been the site of some of the most incredible moments in the history of college football,” Cohen said. “But now it’s going to see a different kind of futbol.

“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.

“We thank everyone who has helped make it possible for the Road to ’26 to stop right here at the corner of Donahue and Heisman.”

'The biggest event we could ask for': Auburn soccer coaches past (Karen Hoppa) and present (James Armstrong)'The biggest event we could ask for': Auburn soccer coaches past (Karen Hoppa) and present (James Armstrong)

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer