Lionel Messi will make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being named in Argentina’s squad for the tournament, marking his sixth appearance on football’s biggest stage.
The 38-year-old forward, who inspired Argentina national football team to World Cup success in Qatar in 2022, has once again been trusted by coach Lionel Scaloni to lead the defending champions.
Messi captained Argentina to their third World Cup title after their dramatic penalty shootout victory over France national football team four years ago. With 26 World Cup appearances already to his name, the Argentine star remains the player with the most matches played in the competition’s history.
His participation at the 2026 tournament will also see him join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male footballers to feature in six different World Cups.
Several key members of Argentina’s victorious 2022 squad were also included in the team list, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defenders Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero, as well as midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández.
The tournament will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Argentina drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Argentina will kick off their campaign in Kansas City before travelling to Dallas for their remaining group-stage matches.
Meanwhile, Messi recently sparked injury concerns after being substituted during Inter Miami CF’s latest MLS fixture. However, the club later clarified that the veteran forward was only experiencing muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
Messi currently has 198 appearances for Argentina and could hit the 200-cap milestone during friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland before the World Cup begins.
