Argentina captain Lionel Messi will make history this summer after being named in his country’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his sixth appearance at the tournament.
The 38-year-old forward, who turns 39 during the competition, was included in coach Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad announced on Thursday. Messi previously guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, where they defeated France in a dramatic final decided by penalties.
Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by a male player with 26 matches played. By featuring again in 2026, he will join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only men to compete in six different World Cups.
Several members of Argentina’s 2022 title-winning squad were also selected, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, defenders Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero, as well as midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.
Forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among the returning players hoping to help Argentina defend the trophy.
Argentina will begin their Group J campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17 before facing Austria and Jordan in Dallas later in the group stage.
Concerns over Messi’s fitness emerged earlier this week after he was substituted during Inter Miami’s latest MLS match. However, the club later confirmed the veteran attacker was only dealing with minor muscle fatigue and had not suffered an injury.
Messi currently has 198 international appearances and could reach the 200 game milestone in Argentina’s upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland before the World Cup begins.
Among the notable omissions from the squad are Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia, Roma forward Paolo Dybala and teenage Real Madrid prospect Franco Mastantuono.
