Will Messi play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup?

Will Messi play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup? This is what is now on the mind of fans of the best and greatest player in the history of football ever, after his recent statements in which he refused to put an end to his international career.

The 23rd edition (2026) of the World Cup will be held, jointly organized, in 16 cities in three North American countries. They are the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.

America will host 60 matches, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals. While neighboring Canada and Mexico will each host 10 matches.

The next World Cup will be exceptional by all standards, as it is the first of its kind in terms of organization – it will be held in three countries – and this tournament is also considered the first that will witness the participation of 48 teams instead of 32.

Will Messi play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup?
Messi left the door open to playing with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, despite his statements after the victory over Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals, that the Qatar World Cup would be the last in his career at the world championship level.

But Messi returned after winning the World Cup, today, December 18, 2022, and said: “I will not retire from the national team. I want to continue playing as a champion.”

Messi’s last statement may be the euphoria of achieving the World Cup, and things may change with the first fall. Taking into account that the next international challenge for the Argentine national team and Lionel Messi is the 2024 Copa America Championship, that is, two years before the next World Cup.

Messi is 35 years old, meaning that if he participates in the 2024 Copa America, he will be 37 years old, and 39 years old in the World Cup. To discuss the possibility of his presence with Argentina in these two tournaments, it will require looking at two different aspects, the first is technical, and the second is physical. Away from the player’s personal decision, which may throw all of this to the side.

On a physical level, Messi is not experiencing his best period, which is very normal for a 35-year-old footballer, but if he can play in the 2024 Copa America, then we can discuss his presence in the World Cup.

Despite this, Messi still performs at impressive levels compared to what other players of the same age go through in terms of fluctuations in performance, as well as exposure to various injuries.

As for the technical aspect, there is no problem; if Messi decides to play in the 2030 World Cup and not 2026, while he is disabled, he will dazzle everyone with his genius and touches.