Lionel Messi’s participation at the 2026 World Cup remains unresolved, with the Argentina captain continuing to stress that his decision will depend entirely on his form and fitness. Head coach Lionel Scaloni echoed that stance, making it clear he will leave the matter in Messi’s hands.
The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup, with the tournament draw taking place today at the Kennedy Oval in Washington DC. Scaloni, currently in the US for the event, spoke to the media about Argentina’s preparations and the uncertainties surrounding the squad.
Asked whether Messi will feature in what would be his sixth World Cup, Scaloni said: “Messi will decide. Whatever he decides, we will support him. Everything is going smoothly, but six months is a long time. There is still plenty of time. We hope he stays well. Everyone hopes he will make the best decision for himself and for the national team.”
Scaloni added that Argentina’s detailed planning will begin only after the draw. “After the draw we will assess everything,” he said. “In Qatar, none of our calculations went as expected. The reality is that to achieve something special at a World Cup, you must be prepared to face the best teams. And this edition will feature many very strong sides.”
Messi recently told ESPN that he hopes to appear at the tournament but will accept the outcome if his body does not allow it. “I hope I can play. I’ve said before that I want to play one more World Cup. Not being able to would be the worst for me. If that happens, I’ll sit in the stands and enjoy watching the team,” he said.
