Argentina's World Cup 2026 base in Kansas City sees Messi birthday celebration and press departure

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine national team set up its main training bunker in Kansas City, United States. After two weeks of covering the squad, a journalist from LA GACETA left the city, noting the daily training routines, the press centre at the stadium and how the city’s streets filled with fans from Argentina, Ecuador, the Netherlands and Tunisia.

On 24 June, the team marked Lionel Messi's 39th birthday in Kansas City. Each player wore a custom shirt displaying a photo of Messi and a personal message on the back. The celebration featured a chocolate cake layered with dulce de leche and merengue, prepared by Argentine baker Silvia Miguel in the United States. Photos of the surprise quickly spread on social media, highlighting the camaraderie within the squad.