Messi Leads Argentina Squad

Lionel Messi will captain Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, marking a record-breaking sixth tournament appearance for the legendary forward.

Coach Lionel Scaloni unveiled the 26-man squad, which includes 17 players from the 2022 championship-winning team.

The selection includes new faces such as Valentin Barco and Nico Paz, while veteran Paulo Dybala was a notable omission.

Messi's inclusion comes after he shook off a minor hamstring injury that had raised concerns about his fitness for the tournament.

Argentina will open their title defense on June 16 against Algeria in Los Angeles.