Lionel Messi is set to participate in his sixth FIFA World Cup after being named captain of Argentina’s 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament.
The 39-year-old forward, who will celebrate his birthday during the competition, was included by head coach Lionel Scaloni following Argentina’s triumphant 2022 campaign in Qatar, where they secured their third World Cup title with a penalty shootout victory over France.
Messi, who holds the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 matches, will join Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo as one of only two male players to feature in six editions of the tournament.
Argentina’s squad includes several key players from their previous success, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, 2022 Golden Glove winner, as well as defenders Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero. Romero returns despite a knee injury that affected the latter stages of his club season.
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Midfield strength is provided by Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández, both Premier League-based players, alongside Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso. In attack, Messi is joined by Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, among others, as Argentina aim to defend their title in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The defending champions have been drawn in Group J and will open their campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June, followed by fixtures against Austria in Dallas on 22 June and Jordan on 28 June.
Messi recently featured for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer but was withdrawn due to muscle fatigue, with the club confirming no serious injury.
He currently has 198 international caps and could reach the 200-mark during upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland.
Notable absentees from the squad include Paulo Dybala, Emi Buendía, and young Real Madrid prospect Franco Mastantuono. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni also misses out due to disciplinary suspension affecting the opening matches of the tournament.