Lionel Messi is set to make history once again after being named in Argentina’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, which will mark his sixth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
The 39-year-old forward will captain the defending champions as Lionel Scaloni confirmed his 26-man squad ahead of the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, when they defeated France on penalties in one of the tournament’s most dramatic finals.
Already the record holder for most World Cup appearances by a male player with 26 matches, Messi is now set to join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only men to feature in six editions of the tournament.
Argentina’s squad includes several familiar faces from their 2022 triumph. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returns after winning the Golden Glove award in Qatar, while Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero have also been included despite recent injury concerns.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez are among the Premier League-based players selected, while Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez headline a strong attacking group.
In total, 17 players from Argentina’s 2022 title-winning squad have been retained as Scaloni’s side attempts to become the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
Argentina begin their Group J campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June before facing Austria and Jordan in Dallas later in the group stage.
There had been some concern over Messi’s fitness after he was substituted during Inter Miami’s MLS match earlier this week. However, the club later confirmed the veteran forward was only dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and had not suffered an injury.
Messi currently sits on 198 international appearances and could reach the 200-match milestone in upcoming friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the tournament begins.
Several notable names were left out of the final squad. Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia, Roma forward Paulo Dybala and teenage Real Madrid talent Franco Mastantuono all failed to make the cut. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was also omitted after receiving a suspension that rules him out of Argentina’s opening two matches.
Argentina World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez.
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Ezequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez.
Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.