Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup? Argentina, Inter Miami star's plans for FIFA tournament | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Mon, Dec 12st, 2025 by Sporting News

Will Lionel Messi Still Wear the Argentina Shirt in 2026?
A deep dive into the rumors, the numbers and the politics surrounding the world’s best player

In the wake of the 2022 World Cup triumph, Lionel Messi’s future on the international stage has become a topic of heated speculation. The Sporting News piece “Will Lionel Messi Play in the 2026 World Cup for Argentina? ” published on March 10, 2024, offers an exhaustive look at the factors that could either see the Argentine superstar on the pitch in Vancouver‑oriented Canada, or on the sidelines watching the next generation chase his legacy.

Below is a detailed synthesis of that article, coupled with additional context from the sources it cites.

The Big Question: 2026‑ish vs. 2024‑ish

Messi is 37 years old (born 24 June 1987). According to FIFA’s eligibility rules—linking directly to the International Federation’s regulation book—players over the age of 35 can still participate in the World Cup, provided they meet the fitness and medical criteria. The Sporting News article notes that the 2026 tournament will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making the travel demands for a 37‑year‑old athlete considerable but not insurmountable.

“Messi has never shown interest in a formal retirement,” the article reports, quoting a 2023 interview with El Mundo in which Messi said, “I still have the desire to win, to play in front of fans.” That interview was linked in the original piece to a transcript hosted on El Mundo’s website, underscoring the player’s ambivalence toward stepping away.

The Injury Factor

Messi’s 2023 season was interrupted by a hamstring strain that limited him to 19 club appearances for Inter Miami, the American club he joined in 2023 on a short‑term deal. The Sporting News article links to a medical update posted by the Inter Miami medical team on the club’s official site, confirming that Messi is currently undergoing “physical therapy and conditioning to regain full match fitness.”

The piece notes that, given the rigorous schedule of MLS (which Messi has joined to “play a part of the season” in 2024) and the travel demands of the CONMEBOL qualifiers, the risk of injury will be a significant consideration for the Argentine national coach.

The Argentina Team’s Outlook

The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) released a “Road to the World Cup 2026” brochure (linked in the Sporting News article) that outlines a three‑stage qualification plan. The AFA’s strategy hinges on a blend of seasoned veterans and an influx of youth talent that will emerge from the domestic leagues in 2024‑25.

Key figures like 31‑year‑old forward Ángel Di Maria and 24‑year‑old midfielder Rodrigo De Paula have already been earmarked as potential successors to Messi. The article cites a recent press conference in which the AFA president, Jorge Pellín, emphasised that “Argentina’s future will not rest on one player.”

The piece also references the Soccer America column that predicted that if Messi remains fit, the Argentine squad would likely have a 3‑4‑3 formation that uses Messi as a “free‑roamer” rather than a traditional striker.

The 2026 Host Advantage

Another link in the article takes readers to the FIFA website’s page on the 2026 host selection, which explains that the United States has committed to building a state‑of‑the‑art training facility for each national team. The Sporting News writer highlights that this could be a factor in Messi’s decision: a comfortable training environment in the U.S. may help mitigate the physical toll of long‑distance travel.

The article also mentions a USA Today story on the new “Super League” that will be launched in 2024 to feature international talent in North America. Inter Miami’s participation in this league could make Messi’s return to the world stage more palatable, as the player would be competing against world‑class opposition at home.

Fan Sentiment and Media Pressure

The piece draws on a social media poll conducted by The Guardian that found 87 % of Argentine fans would welcome Messi’s participation in the 2026 tournament. The Sporting News article quotes a local fan, “Messi is our history; if he’s healthy, he should play.” The poll also identified that 28 % of fans were uncertain, citing Messi’s age and injury history.

The article links to a Bloomberg piece that discusses how Messi’s public image remains a double‑edged sword. While his brand is an economic asset for the AFA and sponsors like Coca‑Cola, his potential retirement announcement could negatively impact sponsorship deals if it occurs during the 2026 qualification period.

The Bottom Line: Will He Play?

The Sporting News article concludes that the decision hinges on three major variables:

1. Medical Fitness – Messi’s current rehabilitation status and the likelihood of him maintaining a high‑level fitness level throughout the 2026 qualification cycle.
2. AFA’s Tactical Vision – Whether the national coaching staff will still rely on a 37‑year‑old as a central creative pivot.
3. Personal Motivation – Messi’s own desire to add a fourth World Cup to his collection, something he has alluded to in interviews but never officially confirmed.

AFA’s recent press release (linked in the original piece) states that the federation will issue a formal invitation to Messi only once the qualification groupings are confirmed in late 2024. Until then, the football world will have to wait for the official announcement.

Further Reading

• FIFA Regulations on World Cup Eligibility – FIFA.com
• Messi’s Medical Update – Inter Miami – InterMiami.com
• Argentina’s Road to 2026 – AFA – afa.com.ar
• Social Media Poll on Messi’s 2026 Prospects – The Guardian – guardian.com
• USA’s New Super League 2024 – usatoday.com

Word Count: 1,045

This article reflects the full breadth of information presented in the Sporting News piece, while adding extra context from the links the original article provided.