30 May,2026 09:56 AM IST | Buenos Aires | AP
Lionel Messi
Amid a worrying rash of injuries, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni sought to dispel doubts by confirming that most of the reigning world champions, including captain Lionel Messi, will be part of the squad that will seek a second consecutive title at the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, about to turn 39, headlines the 26-man World Cup roster announced by Argentina on Thursday. Of those called up, 17 players were part of the team that triumphed in Qatar in 2022.
Several of those players were in doubt due to injuries of varying severity. Among them was Messi, who is suffering from muscle fatigue and strain in his left hamstring, which prevented him from finishing the match with Inter Miami last Sunday.
The club has stated that his recovery time will depend on "his clinical and functional progress." Messi will be playing in his sixth World Cup, having previously participated in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2015, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who fractured the ring finger of his right hand during last week's Europa League final in which Aston Villa defeated Freiburg, has also been
confirmed.
Argentina will debut on June 16 against Algeria in Group J, which includes Austria and Jordan.
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