Argentina captain Lionel Messi will make history this summer after being named in the country’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he is set to feature at the tournament for a sixth time.
The 39-year-old forward was included in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad announced on Thursday as Argentina prepare to defend the title they won at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Messi inspired the Albiceleste to their third world title four years ago after defeating France on penalties in one of the greatest finals in tournament history.
The Inter Miami star already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player with 26 matches and will now become one of only two male footballers to feature in six editions of the competition alongside Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Argentina head into the tournament with a strong and experienced squad that includes several players from their victorious 2022 campaign.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who won the Golden Glove award in Qatar, has retained his place in the squad.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero were also selected despite injury concerns during the closing stages of the Premier League season.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez are among five players based in British football included in Scaloni’s squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina will also rely on attacking stars Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez as they attempt to retain the trophy.
A total of 17 players from the squad that lifted the World Cup in 2022 have returned for another shot at global glory.
The South American champions have been drawn in Group J and will begin their campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 17.
They will then travel to Dallas for matches against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 28.
There had been concerns over Messi’s fitness after he was substituted during Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer fixture on Monday.
However, the club later confirmed that the Argentine captain had not suffered an injury and was only dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
Messi currently has 198 appearances for Argentina and could reach the 200-cap milestone before the World Cup begins if he features in both upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland.
Argentina will face Honduras in Texas on June 7 before taking on Iceland in Alabama two days later.
Several notable names were left out of the final squad despite impressive performances at club level.
Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia did not make the list despite scoring a stunning goal during the Europa League final earlier this season.
Roma forward Paulo Dybala also missed out after struggling with injuries throughout the campaign.
Teenage Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono was another surprise omission from the squad.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was also excluded after FIFA ruled that he must serve a suspension for abusing Vinicius Jr.
Argentina will now enter the World Cup carrying the pressure of defending their crown, while Messi prepares for what could be the final chapter of his remarkable international career.
Argentina World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).
Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).
