Argentina names 55-man World Cup squad with no clear indication on Messis status

Argentina Names Preliminary Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026, Messi’s Participation Uncertain

Lionel Scaloni has announced Argentina’s preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, with Lionel Messi included among the 55 players named by the team’s head coach. However, the 38-year-old captain has yet to confirm his participation in the tournament.

Scaloni listed Messi as one of the 16 forwards in the initial roster, alongside Gianluca Prestianni despite a six-match ban imposed on the player that could see him miss Argentina’s first two group games. The Inter Miami and Argentina captain had previously hinted at potentially retiring from international football, stating he was “conscious that I’m playing my final matches” during an interview in June.

Messi scored seven goals for Argentina as they lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time in 36 years at the Qatar 2022 tournament. His teammates have expressed their desire to see him participate in the upcoming tournament, with Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul praising his contributions to the team.

Prestianni, a 20-year-old forward playing for Benfica of Portugal, will miss at least two of Argentina’s World Cup fixtures due to a six-match ban for using homophobic slurs during a UEFA Champions League game in February. The World Cup is set to conclude on July 19, with Argentina opening their title defense against Algeria on June 16.

The full list of participating teams has not been released yet, but the tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Source: Al Jazeera