Lionel Messi Named In Argentina Squad For Sixth World Cup

Argentina captain Lionel Messi will play at a sixth FIFA World Cup after being included in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament.

Lionel Messi, 38, is set to make more history after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, when they beat France on penalties in a dramatic final.

Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player with 26 matches and will now join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only men to feature in six editions of the tournament.

Scaloni confirmed Messi’s place in the squad on Thursday night, May 28, as Argentina prepare to defend the title they won in 2022.

The Inter Miami star heads a strong squad packed with Premier League talent, including Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Naija News reports that Messi’s inclusion comes days after he was substituted during Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer match on Monday. The club later confirmed the veteran attacker had not suffered an injury and was only dealing with “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring.

The Argentine captain has made 198 appearances for his country and could reach the 200-game milestone before the World Cup begins if he features in friendlies against Honduras and Iceland next month.

Argentina will open their campaign in Group J against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June before facing Austria and Jordan in Dallas.

Scaloni’s squad announcement also brought a notable omission, with Real Madrid youngster Franco Mastantuono left out of the travelling party despite growing expectations around the teenager ahead of the tournament.

Argentina 2026 FIFA 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.