Lionel Messi Confirms If He Wants To Play In 2026 FIFA World Cup: 'I Would If...'

Last Updated:October 28, 2025, 07:31 IST

Lionel Messi has confirmed he aims to help Argentina defend their title at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the final decision will depend on his fitness next year.

Lionel Messi has confirmed his 2026 World Cup ambition. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Lionel Messi has confirmed his ambition to represent Argentina and help them defend the title at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Americas. Messi said he’s ‘really eager’ to get another shot at the marquee tournament, but emphasized the decision will depend on his ‘day-to-day’ fitness, especially in the next year’s pre-season.

Messi turns 39 next June during the tournament that’ll be played between June 11 and July 19. Italy’s Dino Zoff is the only footballer to win the World Cup over the age of 40, and he was a goalkeeper. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has beaten tougher odds before, of course, but in a sport that’s growing more intense and physicality-oriented by the day, it presents a dilemma for both the legendary number 10 and the Albiceleste.

“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love to," Messi told NBC News in an interview. “I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my national team, if I am there. And I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision."

“I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions," he added.

Messi now plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in the USA and recently signed a two-year contract extension, ending all speculation about a return to Barcelona or a switch to the Saudi Pro League.

“The truth is that I like everything about living here," Messi said of Miami. “I spent a lot of time in Barcelona, which for me is an extraordinary city, where I grew up and had many spectacular moments, and which we miss a lot. But Miami is a city that allows us to live very well, that makes us enjoy life, that allows us to be calm, that allows the kids to be themselves and live day to day."

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