By Zoila Palma: Global football icon Lionel Messi will represent Argentina at a 6th World Cup after being named captain of the country’s 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament. The forward, who will turn 39 during the competition, led Argentina to its third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 following a penalty shootout victory over France and now prepares to defend the championship under coach Lionel Scaloni.
Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player with 26 matches and will join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male footballers to appear in six editions of the tournament. Despite being substituted during Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer match on Monday, the club confirmed he had not suffered an injury and was instead dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
Argentina’s squad includes several key players from the 2022 title-winning side.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was named goalkeeper of the tournament in Qatar, returns alongside Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, who recently missed the end of the Premier League season with a knee injury. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez are also among the British-based players selected.
Seventeen members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad have been recalled, including Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, as the South Americans seek to retain the trophy. Argentina has been placed in Group J and will open its campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17 before facing Austria and Jordan in Dallas.
Messi has made 198 appearances for Argentina and could reach the 200-match milestone if he features in upcoming friendlies against Honduras and Iceland.
The post International News: Messi set for 6th World Cup as Argentina names 2026 squad appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Global football icon Lionel Messi will represent Argentina at a 6th World Cup after being named captain of the country’s 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament. The forward, who will turn 39 during the competition, led Argentina to its third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 following a penalty shootout victory
The post International News: Messi set for 6th World Cup as Argentina names 2026 squad appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
