Messi 2026 World Cup: Latest Updates on Argentina Captain’s Decision
The atmosphere at Estadio Monumental was electric. 85,000 fans packed into Buenos Aires’ iconic stadium, waving flags and chanting for their hero. Lionel Messi didn’t disappoint—he scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela, then tearfully waved goodbye to the crowd.
It was September 2025, and everyone knew: this might be the last time they’d see Messi play a World Cup qualifier on home soil.
But here’s the question keeping football fans awake at night: Will Messi actually play at the 2026 World Cup?
The short answer? He hasn’t decided yet. The longer answer? It’s complicated, fascinating, and looks increasingly likely that we’ll see the greatest player of all time grace one final World Cup stage.
What Messi is Actually Saying
Let’s cut through the noise and get to what Messi himself has said. After that emotional night in Buenos Aires, he was remarkably honest about his future.
“I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup,” Messi admitted in his post-match interview. “I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So we’ll see how I feel.”
This isn’t Messi playing coy—it’s vintage Leo being brutally honest with himself and the fans. He’s built his entire approach around one principle: only play if you’re good enough to help the team.
“When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good,” he explained. At 38 years old, dealing with recurring injuries throughout 2025, this mindset makes perfect sense.
The timeline is clear: Messi will make his final decision after completing the 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami and finishing his 2026 preseason—approximately six months before the tournament kicks off in June 2026.
Argentina FA Says: He’s Playing
While Messi remains diplomatic, Argentina’s Football Association isn’t being subtle at all.
In July 2025, Leandro Petersen, the AFA’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, made a bold declaration during a partnership announcement in Dubai: Messi will be at the 2026 World Cup.
“Messi is physically in great shape. He’s had a very good season and will surely give the tournament a leap in quality,” Petersen stated confidently. “Argentina will not only be contenders—Messi will be one of the figures of the tournament.”
That’s not speculation. That’s not hope. That’s the official position of Argentina’s FA.
Coach Lionel Scaloni, always respectful of his captain, has taken a softer approach. “I know what he said and that he’s going to take this time calmly,” Scaloni commented in September. “Whatever he decides will be fine.”
But here’s the interesting part: Scaloni also noted that Argentina’s team is now capable of playing at the same level with or without Messi—something that wasn’t true in the past. There’s no pressure, no desperation. Just mutual respect and support for whatever Messi decides.
What His Teammates Are Saying
Sometimes the people closest to Messi reveal more than official statements ever could.
Luis Suarez, his Inter Miami teammate and former Barcelona partner, was asked directly if Messi talks about the World Cup. His response? “No, no, no, I don’t ask him either. I know what he is like and I don’t ask him anything regarding that.”
But then Suarez added something crucial: “Leo Messi has that desire to play at the World Cup 2026 with Argentina. We’re not discussing retirement as a plan to activate anytime soon.”
Cristian Romero, who plays alongside Messi for Argentina, is even more optimistic. “I can answer about Leo, I think he’s fit, I think he could easily take part,” the Tottenham defender said confidently in October 2025.
Former Argentina and Barcelona teammate Javier Saviola recently weighed in with his prediction: “I think he will go to the World Cup; I’m more than sure of that. He’s playing, and it’s obvious he wants to build confidence and get minutes so he’s in top shape for the World Cup.”
The consensus among those who know Messi best? He’s going.
The Elephant in the Room: His Body
Here’s where things get real. Messi’s 2025 season has been brilliant—but interrupted.
In August, he suffered a hamstring injury during a Leagues Cup match against Necaxa, forcing him off after just 11 minutes. He missed several games, returned too quickly, and had to be managed carefully throughout the rest of the season.
Fast forward to October 2025: Messi experienced minor back discomfort and missed a training session with Inter Miami ahead of their MLS playoff opener. Fans panicked. The next day? He was back on the training pitch, and Miami posted photos with the caption: “Back and ready.”
But here’s the silver lining: when healthy, Messi is still absolutely elite. In October 2025, he won MLS Player of the Month after recording 5 goals and 5 assists in just 3 matches. That’s his third Player of the Month award in 2025 alone.
The man is 38 years old and still dominating professional football. His body may need more management than it used to, but his quality hasn’t diminished one bit.
What’s Actually at Stake?
Let’s zoom out for a moment. Messi has literally nothing left to prove.
He won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—the one trophy that had eluded him for his entire career. He’s captured Copa America titles, broken every imaginable record, and won eight Ballon d’Or awards. His legacy as the greatest of all time is secure regardless of what happens in 2026.
So why play?
The chance to defend a World Cup title—something incredibly rare in modern football. Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 tournament, sitting comfortably atop the South American standings. The team is strong, cohesive, and capable of competing with or without Messi as their focal point.
For Messi, 2026 represents something different than 2022. In Qatar, it was about completing his collection, proving he could do it on the biggest stage. In 2026, it would be about pure love of the game—playing in a World Cup co-hosted by the United States (where he currently lives), representing his country one final time, and potentially cementing his legacy even further.
There’s also the emotional weight of September’s match against Venezuela potentially being his last game on Argentine soil. That goodbye felt premature to everyone in the stadium—including, perhaps, Messi himself.
The Tournament Details
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s the first expanded tournament featuring 48 teams instead of 32.
Here’s a key detail: Messi will turn 39 on June 24, 2026—during the tournament. That makes him one of the oldest outfield players to ever compete at a World Cup, especially for a team with serious championship aspirations.
Argentina’s path looks promising. They’ve already secured qualification as defending champions and South American leaders. The question isn’t whether Argentina will be there—it’s whether their greatest-ever player will be wearing the number 10 shirt.
The Verdict: Will He Play?
Based on everything we know in October 2025, here’s the realistic assessment:
Yes, Messi will almost certainly play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Argentina FA has confirmed it. His teammates believe it. His recent performances support it. And most importantly, Messi himself has expressed excitement and motivation about the possibility—he’s just being honest that it depends on his physical condition.
The most likely scenario? Messi participates but in a carefully managed role. Don’t expect him to play every minute of every match like he did in Qatar. Instead, expect Scaloni to use him strategically—bringing fresh legs for crucial moments, saving his energy for knockout rounds, and surrounding him with a team that no longer relies solely on his brilliance.
Will he make the official announcement soon? Probably not until early 2026, after his preseason training gives him a clear picture of how his body is responding. But all signs point to one final dance on football’s biggest stage.
Messi’s 2026 World Cup decision remains officially unmade, but the evidence overwhelmingly suggests he’ll be there. His body is being carefully managed, his form remains exceptional, and everyone around him expects to see number 10 in Argentina’s colors one last time.
The football world waits with bated breath—and hope. The final chapter of Messi’s international career isn’t written yet, but it looks like we’ll get to witness it unfold in North America next summer.
