The Man City star is preferred ahead of Higuain for Saturday's World Cup opener in Moscow, while there is also a place for Marcos Rojo at the back Sergio Aguero will get the nod as Argentina's starting centre-forward, as coach Jorge Sampaoli confirmed his first XI early for the nation's World Cup opener against Iceland. The Manchester City striker missed the end of his team's season through injury, and was called up for the finals in Russia despite doubts over his fitness. But after making a fine second-half cameo against Haiti and scoring in Argentina's sole pre-World Cup friendly the striker will begin the tournament as first choice over Juventus' Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentina team confirmed by the coach in Friday's press conference poses no surprises, based on the side Sampaoli has been training with throughout the week after seeing their final friendly against Israel fall through due to protests over the fixture. Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero therefore starts ahead of Franco Armani and Nahuel Guzman in goal, following the withdrawal of regular No. 1 Sergio Romero due to a knee problem shortly after the World Cup squad was confirmed. According to Sampaoli, Caballero's position as deputy to Romero in the last friendly call-up in March helped him win out over his two rivals within the squad. "Aside from the similar qualities of all three goalkeepers, who were all great, we have opted for Caballero because we have had more time to work with him," the coach told reporters. "But all three are in great form." Elsewhere City and United rivals Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Rojo will team up in the middle of defence, while Javier Mascherano is set to overtake Javier Zanetti as Argentina's most-capped player as he starts in midfield for his 144th appearance for the Albiceleste alongside Lucas Biglia. Captain Lionel Messi, meanwhile, will be joined by Independiente's Maxi Meza and Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain in a trio behind sole striker Aguero, although he will be expected to push further up and accompany Kun in attack when Argentina are in possession. Article continues below "Messi looks good, very excited. With the talent he has he should not be under much pressure, it helps him enjoy his game," Sampaoli said of his No. 10. "I do not see this World Cup as Messi's last." Confirmed Argentina XI: Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Biglia, Mascherano; Meza, Messi, Di María; Aguero.<doc-sep>Debutants Iceland will begin their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against 2 time champions Argentina on Saturday. With a population of just over 350,000, Iceland became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup finals and after an impressive performance at the 2016 UEFA Euro they will look to continue their good run of form at football's mega event this summer. World Cup 2018 | Argentina vs Iceland | Live Commentary Argentina will be entering this tournament after 3 consecutive final losses and will be determined to win a 3rd World Cup title for their country. They are drawn in Group D with Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria which is being considered as one of the toughest groups at this World Cup. La Albiceleste have one of the most prolific attacking squad in this World Cup with star players such as Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero leading the attacking front. We now take a look at 5 key players who will play a vital role in Saturday's David and Goliath encounter. #5 Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland) Iceland skipper Aron Gunnarsson at UEFA Euro 2016 The Iceland skipper who can play either as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder will play a pivotal role in Iceland's opening fixture against Argentina. He has made 77 senior appearances for the national team and was made permanent captain in August 2012. Under his captaincy, Iceland achieved new heights as they made it to the play-off round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification where they lost 2-0 on aggregate to Croatia. However 2 years later he led his country to UEFA Euro 2016 where they reached the quarterfinals. His ability to control the midfield and make long throw-ins into the opposition box have troubled the defenders in the past. Former England manager Roy Hodgson before his team's round of 16 clash against Iceland at Euro 2016 said, "You'd have to be a bit blind not to realize that Gunnarsson is a weapon for them." At this World Cup Gunnarsson will once again look to inspire his team to similar success and ensure his tiny nation makes a mark at football's greatest stage. 1 / 5 NEXT<doc-sep>Lionel Messi and co. kick off their tournament campaign against the European upstarts when they meet in Moscow Iceland get a historic result as the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup take a point off Argentina. They fell behind to Sergio Aguero's goal but hit back quickly, with Alfred Finnbogason hitting back very quickly. From there, Iceland remained packed at the back and frustrated their opponents. FULL-TIME! ARGENTINA 1-1 ICELAND 90+4 Mins: Argentina have been really disappointing today. They've thrown everything forward but have created very little. Credit where it's due to Iceland but many will have expected more from the runners-up of 2014. 90+2 Mins: CLOSE! Messi fires towards goal once again but it's wide of the mark. It really hasn't been his game today. 90 Mins: Five minutes of added time, Iceland are within touching distance of a historic point. Substitution: Confirmation of that change, as Iceland scorer Finnbogason is replaced by Sigurdason. 88 Mins: SAVE! Mascherano tries his luck from outside the box but it's a comfortable save. Iceland are about to make their third and final change. 86 Mins: We've seen plenty of late goals already at this World Cup and Argentina will be praying for a late winner. Iceland are fighting with everything they've got. Substitution: Third and final change for Argentina, who introduce Higuain in place of Meza. 83 Mins: Messi trying to weave his way through the Iceland defence but there's no room to work with. The referee is letting a number of challenges go, which is frustrating Argentina. 81 Mins: WIDE! Messi sets his sights at goal from outside the box and he whips it just wide of the post. He's getting closer but still no goal. 79 Mins: Argentina banging on the door as Messi takes a ball down superbly inside the box but the ball is hooked away before he can strike at goal. Iceland are hanging on and there's plenty of time still to play. 77 Mins: Penalty shout! Pavon is brought down by Saeversson but the referee waves around the protests. Replays show another spot kick should have been awarded but the referee waves around the protests and opts not to consult VAR. Substitution: Iceland also make a change in midfield, replacing Gunnarsson with Skulason. Substitution: Is Sampaoli reading this feed? Pavon has been introduced to try and find some space to exploit, with Di Maria making way. 75 Mins: Plenty of attacks, plenty of tackles but still no sign of a winning goal 73 Mins: For all the possession Argentina have had, there really isn't much movement in behind. The potential introduction of Dybala or Pavon could change that. STAT: Argentina have failed to convert each of their last two penalties at the World Cup (Ariel Ortega v Sweden in June 2002 and Lionel Messi v Iceland today) 70 Mins: Iceland continue to pack the defence to try and limit Argentina's play. It's limiting the space but the attacks just keep on coming. 68 Mins: Argentina still look up for it though, that penalty miss has done nothing to change their style of play. It still looks like a goal will be scored before the final whistle. 66 Mins: How big a moment will that be for the World Cup? If Argentina drop points here, Messi will be criticised. On the flip side, Halldorsson may have just become a Iceland hero. 65 Mins: The corner came to nothing, You'd bet your house on Messi scoring from the spot but it's a woeful effort! Substitution: Confirmation of the Iceland change, as Gislason is introduced for Gudmundsson. 64 Mins: SAVED! Messi puts it to the keeper's right and Halldorsson dives across and palms it away, the danger isn't clear yet as Argentina have a corner. 63 Mins: Penalty for Argentina! Clumsy defending from Magnusson who shoved Meza in the back as Messi's cross came in. 60 Mins: Concern for Iceland and Gudmundsson requires treatment and it looks like the Burnley man will be taken off. 60 Mins: Banega is already starting to find space just inside the final third but Iceland have the defence packed. Finnbogason is isolated in attack. 58 Mins: Iceland will be happy with their response since the interval but it remains to be seen whether they push further forward. They would certainly be happy with a draw but we've already seen plenty of late goals at the tournament, so it could be a dangerous strategy to remain content. 56 Mins: Banega's introduction should give Argentina some more threat from midfield, as the partnership of Biglia and Mascherano was extremely conservative. Substitution: Lucas Biglia comes off for Ever Banega 53 Mins: You get the feeling that a goal is coming. Argentina remain on the front foot but Iceland look dangerous when they get forward. 50 Mins: Iceland win their first corner of the game as Gylfi Sigurdsson creeps into the box on the left. The Everton man whips it into the middle but Argentina get it away. 49 Mins: Argentina getting back into the rhythm that saw them dominate proceedings during the first half as the dictate the tempo of the game. STAT: Javier Mascherano is making his 144th appearance for Argentina in this match, overtaking Javier Zanetti as their most capped player 46 Mins: KICK-OFF! Argentina get us back underway for the second half. STAT: Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano completed 100% of his passes in the first half (70/70), completing seven more than the whole of the Iceland team Both sides look open defensively and the attackers will fancy their chances of scoring after the break. With Argentina able to call upon the likes of Dybala and Higuain off the bench, they'll be optimistic of finding an breakthrough - particularly if Iceland start to get tired as the match enters the latter stages. A brilliant half of football and one for Iceland to cherish. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring with a superb strike, netting his first World Cup goal, but Alfred Finnbogason made history for Iceland with his equaliser. We've seen chances at both ends since but the game remains delicately poised. HALF-TIME! ARGENTINA 1-1 ICELAND 45 Mins: CHANCE! Iceland come forward and Gylfi Sigurdsson manages to get away a weak shot, Caballero again parries it back into the middle but Argentina clear this time. 44 Mins: It's been a really entertaining half of football and a historic result for Iceland is there for the taking. For all the attacking class Argentina have, they do look weak defensively. 41 Mins: A big penalty shout for Argentina, as Meza's low drive is deflected behind off Ragnar Sigurdsson's arm but it wasn't deliberate. Argentina are furious but it looked to be the correct decision. 39 Mins: Another Argentina corner is headed away with ease. You have to wonder what Sampaoli's reaction will be at the break as they've wasted those opportunities. 37 Mins: Biglia has just tumbled in the box but isn't appealing for anything, while Iceland have their defence packed in an attempt to keep them contained. It's working for the time being. 35 Mins: Iceland will hope to keep it level heading into the interval but Argentina continue to pile forward. 33 Mins: OVER! Argentina are being restricted to shots from distance, as Biglia curls an effort over the bar. 30 Mins: Iceland will be thrilled with their performance in the opening half hour and have certainly risen to the occasion. Argentina are growing increasingly frustrated. STAT: There were just 4 minutes and 15 seconds between Argentina taking the lead and Iceland's equaliser. 27 Mins: Argentina remain on the front foot, with Messi continuing to cause problems. Iceland are certainly up for it though and have impressed so far. STAT: Aguero's goal was his first at a World Cup, coming in his ninth appearance in the competition. 23 Mins: GOAAAAAL! Iceland level almost immediately. Caballero fumbled a low cross from Sigurdsson and Alfred Finnbogason was there to slot home Iceland's first ever World Cup goal. Great start to this game. 1-1 21 Mins: SAVE!<doc-sep>
The 2018 World Cup is underway. CBS Sports will have you covered for each game, all the important news and more, as well as profiles of all of the teams. After becoming one of the stories at Euro 2016, Iceland was one of the teams to watch entering the 2018 World Cup. At the biggest of tournaments for the first time in their history, Iceland came up with a massive draw of powerhouse Argentina in their first match. However, the island country then fell to Nigeria and Croatia to bounce them from the tournament. Here's what you need to know about Iceland at the World Cup. Competition history Previous World Cup appearances: None Matches Saturday, June 16: Iceland 1, Argentina 1 Friday, June 22: Nigeria 2, Iceland 0 Tuesday, June 26: Croatia 2, Iceland 1 Roster This will be Iceland's debut at a World Cup. Getty Images Provisional squad (will be trimmed to 23 for the World Cup): Goalkeepers: Hannes Halldorsson (Randers), Runar Runarsson (Nordsjaelland), Frederik Schram (Roskilde). Defenders: Kari Arnason (Aberdeen), Holmar Eyjolfsson (Levski Sofia), Rurik Gislason (Sandhausen), Sverrir Ingason (Rostov), Hordur Magnusson (Bristol City), Birkir Saevarsson (Valur), Ragnar Sigurdsson (Rostov), Ari Skulason (Lokeren). Midfielders: Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), Samuel Fridjonsson (Valerenga), Johann Gudmundsson (Burnley), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City), Emil Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton), Olafur Skulason (Karabukspor), Arnor Traustason (Malmo). Forwards: Jon Bodvarsson (Reading), Alfred Finnbogason (Augsburg), Albert Gudmundsson (PSV), Bjorn Sigurdarson (Rostov). Best Player Gylfi Sigurdsson. The attacking midfield is talented, smart and creative, and he's the engine in the team's attack. Though his season at Everton didn't go as he had hoped, he's still the man for this team and will be a key to any type of success. Player to watch Albert Gudmundsson. The 20-year-old winger is a young, talented winger at PSV with a bright future. And with the national team, he's scored three goals in four games, making more of an impact than expected. He likely won't start, but he is somebody who, if he can make an impact in the first couple games, he could get a chance in the third match to show what he can do from the get-go. Outlook Euro 2016 was their first appearance at a major tournament, and they surpassed all expectations. But can they do it again, this time at the World Cup? They face a tough group with three teams more talented than them, but heart and teamwork can overcome the lack of pure, top-tier talent. Opening up against Argentina means they'll be under pressure in the second game against Nigeria, assuming they lose to Lionel Messi and company. This team can get out of this group, but it isn't likely.