Will Messi Play the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

ISLAMABAD: Global football icon Lionel Messi has kept fans guessing about his status for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing hope that he might feature in the showcase event, though the 38-year-old says the final decision will depend entirely on how his body holds up in the coming year.

In an interview with NBC News, the record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said that while he dreams of playing for Argentina as they defend their title, he will make the call closer to the tournament after assessing his physical condition.

“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” Messi said. “I’ll see next year how I feel, whether I can really be 100%, and if I can be useful to the national team — only then will I decide.”

Messi, who will turn 39 just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in June, remains the heart of Argentina’s golden generation that lifted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a moment that sealed his status among football’s all-time greats. The next World Cup is expected to be the swansong of Messi’s international career, but the tournament’s Golden Ball winner has never clearly confirmed whether he will participate.

However, Argentina will enter the tournament as defending champions, and the thought of leading La Albiceleste once more clearly excites their talisman.

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“We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it again would be spectacular. It’s always a dream to play for the national team, especially in major competitions,” Lionel Messi added.

Despite his age, Messi remains crucial to Argentina’s chances of retaining their world title. In the South American qualifiers, Lionel Scaloni’s men won 75% of their matches with Messi in the lineup. That percentage drops to 50% when he is absent — underlining his enduring importance to the team.

Lionel Messi has already achieved virtually everything in football, from World Cup and Copa América glory to countless club trophies, but the drive remains alive. With 195 international caps and 114 goals for Argentina, he continues to write his story, one that could still have one final, glorious chapter in 2026.

For millions of football fans worldwide, and especially in Argentina, the possibility of Lionel Messi gracing one last World Cup is more than just sporting news. It’s a dream worth holding on to.