World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi to represent Argentina at sixth tournament
Lionel Messi will play in his sixth World Cup as captain of Argentina in the 2026 tournament.
The 38-year-old striker, who led his country to its third World Cup victory in Qatar by beating France on penalties four years ago, was named in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad on Thursday.
Messi holds the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 appearances and will join Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo (41) as the only male players to feature in the sixth edition of football’s biggest event this summer.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who was chosen as the goalkeeper of the tournament in 2022, and defenders Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero from Manchester United and Tottenham were selected.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez are among five players of British origin in the squad for the finals to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina is in Group J and will begin its campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 17, followed by two matches against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 28 in Dallas.
Messi was substituted for Inter Miami’s final Major League Soccer match on Monday, but his club said he was not injured and suffered “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring.
He has made 198 appearances for Argentina and will reach 200 points if he also plays in his country’s friendly matches against Honduras in Texas on June 6 and Iceland in Alabama three days later.
