▲ Lionel Messi of Argentina
A security breach has occurred involving the passport information of the defending champion Argentina national team players during a friendly match held ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Reuters reported on June 11 (KST) that the passport details of all members of the Argentine national team, including Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), were leaked due to poor security management during their friendly match against Iceland.
According to the report, the team roster released to the media and the general public before Argentina's friendly match against Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, the previous day, contained the players' passport numbers without being redacted.
It is reported that the passport numbers of the Icelandic players were not included in the document.
Approximately 88,000 spectators attended the match that day.
The image of the roster was shared by several local media outlets before being promptly deleted.
Argentina, the winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, concluded its preparations for a title defense by winning this final friendly match 3-0 before the start of the North and Central American World Cup.
Messi, who is competing in his sixth World Cup, felt discomfort in his left hamstring during a club match on May 25. He rested during the friendly against Honduras on June 7 to focus on recovery before being substituted into the match in the 70th minute.
Just two minutes after entering the pitch, he scored an additional goal via a penalty kick, contributing to the team's victory.
Argentina is placed in Group J for the North and Central American World Cup and will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in order.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.