Lionel Messi's potential participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, remains a major talking point in the world of soccer. The Argentine captain and coach Lionel Scaloni recently met to discuss plans for the tournament, adding fuel to the speculation.
Scaloni has acknowledged the meeting, stating that they "had coffee" and discussed various matters. While details of the discussion remain private, it's understood that Argentina's plans for defending their World Cup title were a key topic. Scaloni has consistently maintained that the decision to play rests solely with Messi. Messi himself has stated that his participation will depend on his form and fitness closer to the tournament.
Adding to the intrigue, Scaloni offered a subtle hint about Messi's future, emphasizing the superstar's unwavering competitiveness. He highlighted Messi's impact on his teammates, particularly the younger players, noting that his presence raises standards and sets a valuable example. Scaloni told AFA Estudio that, "Those of us who know him know he'll never relax. He's a born competitor,".
Despite the anticipation, Scaloni is wary of putting any undue pressure on Messi. He stated that there is still time before a decision needs to be made and wants to leave the choice entirely up to the player. "We didn't talk about the World Cup. Let's see what happens," Scaloni said, "He said there is still time, so it wouldn't be right to put pressure on him. I want to leave the decision entirely up to him".
Argentina has already secured their place in the 2026 World Cup, marking their 19th appearance in the tournament. Scaloni indicated that players from Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad would be given priority. "Many who played in the last World Cup will return to the squad. They have earned it through merit, and they deserve to be part of the fight to defend the title," he said.
If Messi participates in the 2026 World Cup, it would be his sixth appearance in the tournament, a feat never before achieved. He would be 39 years old at the time of the competition.
