Messi, playing in his sixth World Cup, Argentina squad announced

Kathmandu. Lionel Messi will captain Argentina in the 2026 World Cup for the sixth time.The 38-year-old forward Messi won his third World Cup title in Qatar four years ago, defeating France on penalties in the final.His name was included in the 26-man squad announced by coach Lionel Scaloni on Thursday.

Messi, who has played 26 World Cup matches so far, is the player who has played the most in the World Cup. Now he will join Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo in a rare record of playing in the sixth edition of the World Cup in men’s football.Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was named the best goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup, is also in the team. Similarly, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero are also in the team.

Five UK-based players, including Liverpool’s Alexis McAllister and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, have been named in the squad.The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Argentina are in Group J. They will play their first match against Algeria in Kansas City on June 17. They are then scheduled to play against Austria and Jordan in Dallas.

Messi was substituted in Inter Miami’s last match on Monday. The club said he was not injured but had a muscle strain in his left hamstring.He has played 198 games for Argentina so far. If he plays the friendlies against Honduras in Texas and Iceland in Alabama, he will reach the 200th international cap.

Argentina’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers:
Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Jerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).

Defenders:
Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders:
Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis McAllister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).

Forwards: Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Juliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nico Pas (Como), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).