Will Lionel Messi Play FIFA World Cup 2026? This was announced by Argentinian national coach Scaloni

Lionel Messi will play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine head coach announced at the press conference on Thursday.

«We want to restore some performances and see a mix of the players we have. Lihat juga SEef4c. As for Leo (Messi), yes, he will play; it’s another great opportunity for everyone to enjoy what we enjoy every time he is here,» Scaloni said.

Messi led Argentina to its third FIFA World Cup title in Qatar four years ago, but at the age of 38 there were doubts over his performance in the quadrennial tournament – a tournament put to bed by Scaloni.

Messi, the country’s record scorer, had himself cast doubt on his World Cup performance last year. «I said it in the past, logically it was unlikely that I would play in a World Cup at 39. It’s still nine months away, which is close, but it’s also a long time,» he had said after a Major League Soccer match.

Hard to promise a repeat

Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties to lift the trophy at the Lusail Stadium.

«Given how complicated it is, a World Cup repeat is difficult to promise. It would be incredible (if it happens). Argentina deservedly won the last one, but there are many cases where the one who deserves it doesn’t win, and that says something about the difficulty of the tournament,» Scaloni added.

«The World Cup is terribly complicated. We are doing well and logically our opponents will play differently against us. We know what is at stake, and the team will be there. After that it is football, and we know what that means.»

«As many as ten national teams can win the World Cup, and perhaps I even underestimate that. I have no doubt that the level is very high.»

Published on March 27, 2026