With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, Lionel Messi has yet to make a final call on whether he will feature for Argentina as they attempt to defend their title. The 38-year-old forward, who turns 39 during the tournament, continues to weigh his physical fitness and mental readiness against his deep desire to compete on the global stage one more time.
Messi has repeatedly voiced his eagerness to be part of the squad, describing the opportunity as “extraordinary.” In an October 2025 interview, he stated: “The truth is that yes, it’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup. I would like to be there. To feel well and to be an important part of helping my national team, if I am there. And I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter Miami and see if I can really be 100 per cent… I’m really eager because it’s the World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular.”
He echoed similar sentiments in a December 2025 conversation, emphasizing that he does not want to become a burden on the team. “I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I’d love to be there. At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special… I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup. Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll have a good preseason in 2026… and then I’ll decide.”
As of late March 2026, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Messi remains undecided. Speaking ahead of upcoming friendlies on March 27, Scaloni said the decision rests entirely with the player: “That’s a question more for him… I’ll do everything possible to make sure he’s there. I believe that, for the good of soccer, he has to be there… It’s up to him, his mindset, his mental state, his physical condition.”
Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, is expected to continue evaluating his form through the remainder of the 2026 MLS season and his preseason preparations. The coaching staff has made it clear they will support whatever choice he makes, giving him the space to decide without external pressure.
For now, the football world waits. Messi very much wants to grace the pitch in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, but only if he believes he can perform at the level he demands of himself. A final announcement is anticipated in the coming weeks as the tournament approaches.
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