Lionel Messi has not disclosed whether he will participate in the 2026 World Cup. The 38-year-old star recently guided Argentina to the top of the standings in the South American World Cup qualifiers but remains undecided about defending their 2022 title. The World Cup draw will occur on Friday.

“I’m going to take it one day at a time; being honest and trying to be realistic and feel good,” Messi stated in an interview with ESPN Argentina. “This year I felt very good.”

Messi indicated that playing in the United States might facilitate his considerations for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada beginning on June 11 in Mexico City. This would mark his sixth World Cup participation.

“It catches us at a different point in the season than in Europe. We’re going to start a tough preseason in January and we’re going to have a lot of games in a row with the league and the CONCACAF Champions League,” Messi noted.

Currently, Messi and Inter Miami are gearing up for their match against Vancouver in the MLS Cup final on Saturday.

If Messi participates in the upcoming World Cup, he and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has also recently qualified with Portugal, would surpass the esteemed Lothar Matthäus from Germany, who played in five World Cups.

Messi mentioned that he frequently discusses his potential role with Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni.

“He always tells me that he’d like me to be in whatever position I’m assigned. We have a very trusting relationship, and we can talk about everything,” Messi added.