Is Lionel Messi playing in the World Cup 2026?
Is Messi playing in the world cup 2026? Do Lionel Messi playing in the world cup 2026? Following their team announcement on Monday, Argentina has hinted that Lionel Messi will play in the 2026 World Cup. After retiring from international football in 2016, Messi made a comeback prior to the 2018 World Cup. Together with his country, he won the Copa America in 2021 and guided them to victory in 2022. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
Is Lionel Messi playing in the World Cup 2026?
Even if Messi’s abilities are diminishing, he may yet have one more World Cup left in him. Four years later, there are rumours that he may retire permanently. Argentina’s inclusion of Inter Miami star Messi in their 55-man preliminary long list is the latest indication that he will participate in the tournament in North America.
This supports the position he has regularly expressed when asked about his prospective participation in the event, even though it does not ensure that the international superstar will go this summer. Messi stated back in October that he would only participate if he were totally recovered and able to perform at his peak.
Messi was definitely meeting his own standards at the time of the preliminary roster release, and because manager Lionel Scaloni would definitely call up his countryman regardless of his level of fitness, it was entirely up to him to decide.
There is no cause to worry about Messi’s World Cup presence, even though he continues to perform at such high levels in the same temperature circumstances that may hinder many younger pros travelling to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada for this summer’s competition. The captain of Argentina, nevertheless, is concerned that his mere presence won’t ensure a second consecutive world championship.
Lionel Messi included in Argentina’s 55-player provisional World Cup squad
Argentina’s preliminary team for the 2026 World Cup comprises 55 players, including Lionel Messi. Messi, a 38-year-old eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has not officially confirmed that he will captain the Albiceleste when they try to defend the championship this summer, but it is anticipated that he will play in his sixth World Cup.
Messi played in 12 of Argentina’s 18 World Cup qualifying games and finished as the competition’s leading goalscorer with eight goals. Paulo Dybala, a 2022 World Cup champion for Roma, was not one of the 55 and hasn’t played since 2023.
However, Lautaro Martínez of Inter Milan and Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid are among them. Gianluca Prestianni, a winger for Benfica, has also been mentioned. However, he would be suspended for the first two World Cup matches if he were to reach the final 26-man squad.
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea, Nico Paz of Como, and Cristian Romero of Tottenham, who hasn’t played since April 13 due to a knee injury, have been added. Zaid Romero, a centre defender for Getafe, is one of the uncapped players picked by Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni. Argentina will play Austria and Jordan in Group J after starting their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria.
Lionel Messi will only play if he is fit for the World cup matches
Messi stated in October that he would attend the World Cup provided he was healthy. “The truth is that, yes, being able to participate in a World Cup is something extraordinary,” he stated. And I’d like to be present. to feel healthy and, if I am present, to play a significant role in supporting my national team.
“And when I begin Inter’s preseason next year, I’ll evaluate that on a daily basis to see if I can truly be 100%.” Messi appears to be getting ready for the World Cup because he has only been rested for one MLS match this season and has played the entire 90 minutes in the other 11.
It remains to be seen if he plays as significant a role as he did four years ago, but it will be delightful for supporters worldwide to see perhaps the greatest football player of all time appear on the World Cup stage once more.
More about World Cup 2026
We have all the information you need about one of the biggest games in club football. Find out more at www.fifa.com. Watch & Bet Football Live =>
Table of Contents
