Messi to Continue as Argentina Captain at World Cup as Scaloni Eases Injury Fears
Theo Al Jazeera English
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi will captain the team at the 2026 World Cup, downplaying concerns over a hamstring injury. The 38-year-old sustained the issue during Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia, but Scaloni said it is not serious. Messi's sixth World Cup appearance would be a personal record.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi retaining the captain's armband. It will be the 38-year-old forward's sixth World Cup — a personal milestone.
Messi had not officially confirmed his participation in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. But pundits still expected the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to lead the team four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar. Doubts emerged only after Messi left the pitch early in Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia at the weekend with a left hamstring injury.
His MLS club diagnosed muscle fatigue but gave no specific recovery timeline, saying progress depends on “clinical and functional evolution”. Scaloni played down the severity of the injury but acknowledged Messi would need further tests, although no update has been released.
Notably, the squad omits Franco Mastantuono, the 18-year-old Real Madrid midfielder considered one of Argentina's brightest young talents.
The 2026 World Cup — the biggest in history — kicks off on June 11. Argentina plays its opening match against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Before the tournament, the South Americans will play friendlies against Honduras (June 6) and Iceland (June 9) in the United States. In the group stage, Argentina also faces Austria and Jordan.
Of the 26 players called up, 17 were part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup. Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero is included despite a knee injury suffered last month that has kept him sidelined since. First-time call-ups include Nicolas Paz (21) and Valentin Barco (21), along with Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez, who made his senior debut only last year.
Notable absentees include Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia and Roma's Paulo Dybala.
Alongside Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also expected to play in their sixth World Cup.
Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, England), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille, France), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid, Spain).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate, Argentina), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, England), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, Portugal), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille, France), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, England), Facundo Medina (Marseille, France), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, France).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami, USA), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, England), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, England), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis, Spain), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg, France).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, USA), Nicolas Paz (Como, Italy), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Italy), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras, Brazil).
