Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, making his sixth tournament appearance at age 38. The Inter Miami forward was selected in coach Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad announced Thursday, confirming his participation in football's biggest stage once again.

Messi already holds the record for most World Cup matches played (26) and will join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male players to feature in six editions. He led Argentina to their third title in Qatar 2022, defeating France in a dramatic penalty shootout. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returns after winning the 2022 tournament's best goalkeeper award, while Premier League defenders Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero also made the cut.

Argentina opens Group J against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17, followed by matches versus Austria and Jordan in Dallas. The squad includes five British-based players, with Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez providing midfield options for Scaloni's side.

Messi's fitness was questioned after being substituted in Inter Miami's MLS match, but the club confirmed only "muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring. He sits on 198 Argentina caps and can reach 200 in upcoming friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the tournament begins.