Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup? Argentina, Inter Miami star's plans for FIFA tournament
While it's likely he will be on hand to help the Albiceleste to defend their FIFA World Cup title in 2026, Lionel Messi is not a confirmed presence at the tournament.
Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup? Argentina, Inter Miami star's plans for FIFA tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The presence of Lionel Messi was utterly essential to Argentina's triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and while it's likely he will be on hand to help the Albiceleste to defend their title, he is not yet a confirmed presence at the tournament. After playing what will likely be the final competitive home match of his international career, Messi cut an emotional figure on the field in Buenos Aires following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Venezuela in October 2025. With the World Cup to be played across North America, where Messi currently calls home, eyes will be on his every move in the run-up to the tournament and during the competition.
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However, Messi cast some doubt over his participation in the tournament when speaking in September 2025. "Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won't make it," Messi said after scoring twice in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. "But we're almost there, so I'm excited and motivated to play it.