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International friendlies round up: Ødegaard clinches Morocco draw while Messi benched for Argentina

Preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have continued over the last 24 hours as nine teams featured in another round of friendly fixtures ahead of this summer’s showpiece tournament in the North America.

FromTheSpot takes a look at the scores from the international friendlies featuring the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Morocco and Norway as we’re now just four days away from the tournament opener, which sees Mexico host South Africa on Thursday 11 June.

Morocco 1-1 Norway: Ødegaard salvages late draw

Morocco and Norway settled for a draw as they both wrapped up their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations in Harrison, New Jersey.

Brahim Diaz opened the scoring with eight minutes on the clock after a tidy assist from Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, though they soon suffered a scare when Alexander Sørloth appeared to have equalised, only for his goal to be chalked off for an apparent foul on Noussair Mazraoui in the buildup.

But while Sørloth’s disallowed goal provided momentary relief, Morocco will be left hoping that Mazraoui – who was replaced by Youssef Belammari with just half an hour played in the United States – has not suffered a serious injury.

There were plenty of changes for both sides in the second half but Norway’s proved to be more effective, with Oscar Bobb teeing up Martin Ødegaard for a composed finish into the bottom corner in the 75th minute.

Norway take on Iraq, Senegal and France in Group I at this summer’s tournament, while Morocco will face Scotland, Brazil and Haiti in Group

Brazil 2-1 Egypt: Seleçao claim narrow victory in Cleveland

Bruno Guimarães and Endrick were both on the scoresheet for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil as they edged past Egypt in their final friendly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Newcastle United’s Guimarães netted after just seven minutes in Cleveland with a fine finish from the edge of the box, although Mostafa Ziko managed to equalise only three minutes later after capitalising on a loose pass from stalwart Marquinhos.

Igor Thiago could have restored Brazil’s lead before the break but it was ultimately his replacement, Endrick, who fired home the eventual winner from Raphinha’s cross.

It is, at times, hard to believe that Endrick – who spent the latter half of the season on loan from Real Madrid at Olympique Lyonnais – is still a teenager, given that he could prove to be influential for Brazil this summer as they seek to lift their sixth FIFA World Cup title.

The Seleção, who were without Neymar against Egypt, take on Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

Argentina 2-0 Honduras: Messi absent but Albiceleste cruise to win

Lionel Messi was an unused substitute as Argentina cruised to an effortless 2-0 win against Honduras in Texas.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is still yet to return to full fitness after suffering a hamstring injury last month.

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after Nicolas Tagliafico was fouled by Honduras’ Cristopher Melendez, and the goalscorer turned creator after the break to set up Giuliano Simeone with a cheeky backheel that was duly despatched past Edrick Menjivar.

It could have been an agonising night for Honduras as the reigning world champions had a plethora of fantastic opportunities to extend their lead, including a second-half effort that forced a fine save from Menjivar.

Argentina’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup aren’t quite over yet, though, as they’ve still got one final friendly to play against Iceland before kicking off a group stage campaign that will see them face Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

There’s hope that Messi could be back in contention to face Iceland, which will undoubtedly be music to the ears of the Argentinians.

Curaçao 4-0 Aruba: Changes spark second half rout in Willemstad

Curaçao, the smallest nation to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup, rounded off their pre-tournament friendlies with a comprehensive victory against Aruba.

Aruba sit 189th in the latest FIFA rankings but managed to keep the game goalless throughout the first half, with Dick Advocaat implementing wholesale changes to his Curaçao side at the break.

A stronger side, featuring the likes of Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong, Middlesbrough’s Sontje Hansen and PSV’s Armando Obispo, needed just nine second-half minutes to take the lead through Joshua Brenet.

That goal opened the floodgates, with Jeremy Antonisse, Livano Comenecia and Juninho Bacuna all scoring before the final whistle to ensure that Curaçao enjoyed a positive result in their final match on home soil ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

But despite a comprehensive victory, Curaçao are set for a tricky group stage campaign that sees them pitted against Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador, all of whom will be vying to bolster their goal difference against the minnows of Group E.

Elsewhere

Croatia left it late to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory against Slovenia, with all three goals coming after the break. Luka Modrić opened the scoring in the 51st minute and while Andraz Sporar looked to have salvaged a draw in the final ten minutes in Varaždin, Mario Pašalić picked out the top corner in stoppage time to seal victory for the 2018 runners-up.

Türkiye came from behind against Venezuela to claim a 2-1 win, with Gleiker Mendoza’s first-half opener levelled out by Baris Yilmaz’s strike on the stroke of half-time. Yunus Akgun added Türkiye’s second in the 54th minute.

Ecuador face Guatemala in their final friendly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and lead 1-0 at the break through a Jordy Caicedo penalty.

And away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup buildup, Denmark’s friendly fixture against Ukraine was called off in the second half when Christian Eriksen required medical treatment after collapsing on the pitch. The midfielder, who suffered a cardiac arrest at UEFA Euro 2020, is “doing well” and will undergo further tests in hospital, according to Denmark’s team doctor.

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