May 28, 2026
(FILES) Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Peru at the La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on November 19, 2024. Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi was ruled out for Argentinas World Cup Qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay on March 17, 2025, according to the list of called-up players posted on the AFA (Argentina Football Association) official X account. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the World Cup, national coach Lionel Scaloni announced Thursday as he unveiled his 26-man squad.
Messi, 38, heads the list, which notably omits Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono.
This will be Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance and will see him lead Argentina’s defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
