Ever since Argentina lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar, fans have been wondering — will Lionel Messi feature in the 2026 edition? The Argentine legend hasn’t given a definitive answer yet, but signs indicate that he wants to be part of the tournament. Speaking to NBC last month, Messi said simply: “I want to be there.”
However, at 38, Messi is not willing to play unless he can contribute at the highest level. He recognises that age has affected his physical sharpness, and he doesn’t want to stay in the national team just for sentimental reasons. Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport, Messi made his stance clear: “I don’t want to be a burden on the team.”
Fitness Will Decide His 2026 Participation
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicks off on 11 June. Messi admitted that he hasn’t made a final decision yet because he’s unsure if his body will allow him to perform at his best for Argentina.
“As I’ve said before, I don’t want to be a burden. I want to be sure I can still help the team and make a difference. Physically, I must be fully fit,” Messi explained.
He added that playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) poses unique challenges:
“Our season is different from Europe’s. We’ll have a short pre-season and a few matches before the World Cup. I’m taking it day by day to see if I can reach the level I want to be at.”
Messi’s Current Form
Messi has continued to impress both for Inter Miami and Argentina. Across all competitions this year, he has played 50 matches, scored 44 goals, and provided 21 assists — remarkable numbers for a player in his late thirties.
| Season | Team | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Inter Miami | 40 | 36 | 15 |
| 2024 | Argentina | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Total | 50 | 44 | 21 |
Despite already winning the coveted World Cup trophy in 2022, Messi remains emotionally attached to the tournament.
“Of course I know — it’s the World Cup, the biggest competition in football. I’m excited, but I’m taking it step by step,” he said.
Preparing for Argentina’s Final Match of the Year
Messi has joined Argentina’s training camp in Spain, where the world champions are preparing for their final match of 2025 — a friendly against Angola on 14 November (10 p.m. Bangladesh time) in Luanda. Lionel Scaloni’s men will resume their campaign in March next year when they take on Spain in the Finalissima.
For now, Messi’s future with Argentina remains uncertain — but one thing is clear: he won’t step onto the World Cup stage unless he believes he can make a real difference.