Lionel Messi
He has said it himself, more than once: 2026 is the last one. The trophy lifted in Qatar finally settled the only open question. What remains is the goodbye — and the cosmic poetry that it happens on American soil, where he lives, where he plays, where the boy from Rosario built the back half of a life that already had everything.
Group Stage Schedule
Defending champions and heavy favorites — but Scaloni named a 26-man squad with six fitness concerns, Messi himself nursing a left-hamstring overload from Inter Miami. The record sixth World Cup, on American soil where he now lives. The group should be comfortable, but the knockouts await. Can he lead one more magical run?
Records in Play
Miroslav Klose holds the all-time World Cup goal record at 16. Messi enters with 13 — three short, with up to seven matches left to find them.
No outfield player has ever played in six World Cups. The previous record of five was shared by Rafa Márquez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Messi himself. In 2026, only Messi and Ronaldo will reach six — the historic first.
26 World Cup appearances and counting. Lothar Matthäus held the record at 25 before Messi passed him in Qatar. Every minute on the pitch widens the gap.
Every Chapter
The greatest player of all time returns for a record sixth World Cup. At 39, Messi has nothing left to prove — he won it all in Qatar. But the magic of a home-continent tournament, on American soil where he now lives and plays for Inter Miami, is too poetic to resist. Argentina open their title defense in Kansas City before heading to Dallas. This is his farewell.
Lionel's 2026 World Cup, Answered
Is 2026 Lionel Messi's last World Cup?
Yes. Messi has said repeatedly that the 2026 World Cup will be his last. At 39 it is his record sixth tournament — a farewell staged on American soil, where he lives and plays for Inter Miami.
How many World Cups has Lionel Messi played in?
2026 is Messi's sixth World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). No outfield player in history has ever appeared in six.
How many World Cup goals does Messi have?
Messi has 13 World Cup goals across five tournaments — three short of Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16, with up to seven matches to close the gap.
Will Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Argentina qualified as reigning champions and Messi, still their captain and talisman, is set to lead them. At 39 it is his sixth and final World Cup — Argentina open Group J against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, 2026.
What group is Argentina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina are in Group J with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. They open against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on June 16, 2026.