Messi to lead Argentina’s title defence at 2026 FIFA World Cup 

Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina’s title defence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being named in Lionel Scaloni’s final 26-man squad for the tournament.

The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward will make his sixth World Cup appearance, extending his national record and equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark for the most World Cup participations by any player.

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Messi’s inclusion ends speculation surrounding his fitness after he was forced off during Inter Miami’s recent Major League Soccer match. The club later confirmed the issue was only muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and not a serious injury.

The Argentine captain already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player, having featured in 26 matches across previous tournaments.

Messi is also on the verge of another historic milestone with the national team. The forward currently has 198 caps for Argentina and is expected to make his 200th appearance during upcoming friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the World Cup begins.

If achieved, Messi would become only the second footballer in history to reach 200 international appearances, alongside Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Martinez, Romero, Mac Allister Included

Argentina head into the tournament with a strong and experienced squad as they aim to successfully defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who won the Golden Glove award during Argentina’s triumph in Qatar, has retained his place in the squad alongside defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez.

The midfield will once again be anchored by Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, while Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez provide attacking support for Messi.

However, veteran winger Angel Di Maria is absent after deciding against returning from international retirement. Goalkeeper Franco Armani also chose not to come back for the tournament.

Argentina Drawn In Group J

Argentina have been placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

The defending champions will begin their campaign against Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City before facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 28 in Dallas.

Argentina’s 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.