Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup? Why involvement remains unclear despite roster announcement
The presence of Lionel Messi was utterly essential to Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and he will be part of the Albiceleste’s attempt to become the first team in 60 years to win back-to-back trophies.
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.
The Sporting News details the latest as Messi nears the end of his unforgettable playing career.
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Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup?
Despite months of speculation over whether or not he could skip the tournament — fuelled in part by the man himself refusing to confirm his intentions — Messi was named in Argentina’s World Cup roster.
It will be his sixth appearance at the FIFA finals, a record he will share with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in the Portugal squad.
The broader question concerns how much Messi will actually be involved, at least in the early stages of the group phase. The forward suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury during Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union in May, sparking concern that he might not be fit enough for World Cup action.
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Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni tried to calm fears that the injury could be serious, but he admitted the team will need to «wait and see» whether Messi is able to play in the group-stage opener against Algeria on June 16.
«We would have liked him to arrive [in camp] without any kind of problems, but that is not the case with him and with most of the players who have had problems,» Scaloni said. «They are not fully recovered. Our goal is to try to recover them and have them arrive in the best possible condition.»
Argentina
When will Lionel Messi retire from international football?
It’s believed that Messi will retire from Argentina duty after the 2026 World Cup.
Messi confirmed that the 3-0 victory over Venezuela on September 4 was his final competitive international fixture on home soil. The 38-year-old was emotional after the match, with his entire family in attendance.
«There are so many emotions, I’ve experienced so many things on this field,» Messi said after the game at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires. «It’s always a joy to play in Argentina with our people. We’ve been enjoying match after match for many years. I’m very happy; being able to finish in this way here is what I always dreamed of.»
The game served not only as his final competitive fixture on home soil, but also his last World Cup qualifier. Scaloni rested Messi for the subsequent road game at Ecuador, with the team having already confirmed its place atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings.
However, it is highly likely that Messi will play in at least one international friendly after the World Cup concludes, allowing him to receive a proper send-off for his greatness on the international level.
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