Is Lionel Messi participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup? This question is on the minds of many as we approach next summer’s tournament, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
As Messi approaches his 39th birthday, he holds the record for most World Cup appearances (26), surpassing Lothar Matthäus of Germany in 2022 after finally winning the tournament. Many anticipated that the 2022 victory would be his last, but he has left the door ajar for 2026.
“It’s special to play with the national team, especially in major official competitions, and even more so considering what a World Cup means, especially after having won it,” Messi remarked in an interview with the Spanish outlet SPORT. “But as I was saying, I don’t want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel physically fit, to be sure I can help and contribute to the team.”
Currently, Messi is in good form, having led Major League Soccer with 26 goals and 19 assists. He helped Inter Miami CF secure their first-ever MLS Cup title.
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Inter Miami will have a three-month break following their MLS Cup win before the new season resumes in February. Messi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will hinge on his physical condition leading up to the event.
“Our season is different from the European one,” Messi said. “We’ll have a pre-season in between, with few matches leading up to the World Cup, and we’ll see how things go day by day to see if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I’d like to be and be able to participate.”
Should Messi appear for Argentina in 2026, he will set a record as the first male player to compete in six World Cups, joining only Brazil’s Formiga (7) and Marta (6) as the only players to have played in at least six World Cups.
Although FIFA has yet to disclose the official deadline for roster submissions, this typically occurs the month before the tournament commences. The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Wednesday, June 11, and concludes on Sunday, July 19.
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