Will Messi play? Argentina answer fan queries in 55-man World Cup squad
Summary
Argentina included Lionel Messi in its 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though Messi has not yet fully confirmed his participation. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, with Argentina defending their title.Key Facts
- Lionel Messi, 38 years old, is named in Argentina’s initial 55-player World Cup roster.
- Messi has hinted that he may be nearing the end of his international career but has not confirmed retirement.
- Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, named 16 forwards, including Messi and young player Gianluca Prestianni.
- Prestianni is serving a six-match ban for using homophobic language in a UEFA Champions League game and will miss at least two World Cup games.
- Messi scored seven goals in the 2022 World Cup and helped Argentina win their first title in 36 years.
- Argentina will start their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri.
- The 2026 World Cup is cohosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico and will end on July 19.
- Teammates recognize Messi’s importance, saying the team performs best when he plays.
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