2026 World Cup: Lionel Messi is set to represent Argentina in the sixth tournament.

Lionel Messi will lead Argentina to his sixth World Cup in 2026.

The 38-year-old striker was named in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad on Thursday, which won his country a third World Cup on penalties in Qatar four years ago.

At 26 appearances, Messi holds the current record for most World Cup wins by any player – and will join 41-year-old Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male players to appear at the sixth edition of football’s biggest event this summer.

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez, who was chosen as the 2022 goalkeeper of the tournament, was chosen as well as defenders Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero of Manchester United and Tottenham.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis McAllister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez are among five players in Britain for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Argentina are in Group J and will kick off their campaign with two games against Algeria in Dallas on Wednesday 17 June against Algeria in Dallas on 22 June and against Jordan on 28 June.

Messi was substituted in Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer game on Monday, but the club said he was unhurt and suffering from “muscle fatigue” in his left leg.

He has 198 caps for Argentina and will reach the 200 mark if he plays in both of his country’s friendlies – June 6 in Texas against Honduras and three days later in Alabama against Iceland.