Argentina national team are expected to be among the competitors in the upcoming World Cup 2026.
The World's top football tournament will be hosted in 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This will be the first time when the competition includes 48 teams instead of 32.
FIFA are set to announce the new World Cup format ahead of the upcoming tournament. According to it, 48 teams will take part, divided into 12 groups of 4. The top two and eight best third-placed sides will advance to the Round of 32.
La Albiceleste won the World Cup 2022 in Qatar after beating France in the final of the tournament. The team will be looking to do their best when they face their opponents four years later.
Will Lionel Messi play in the World Cup 2026?
After winning the World Lionel Messi revealed his he has no intention of retiring from international football.
According to the report by L'Equipe, Messi plans to continue his playing spell with Argentina national team until Copa America 2024, though he has now ruled out the possibility of taking part in the next World Cup in 2026.
“As I said earlier, I don't think I will participate in the next World Cup. I haven't changed my mind about that. I'd like to be there to watch it, but I'm not going to participate," he said in an interview.
The time will show whether the Argentinian goat will be part of the team in the World Cup 2026. Meanwhile, his teammate Angel Di Maria has confirmed he is planning to retire from international football after Copa America 2024.
Speaking about Messi on Todo Pasa, he added: “I hugged Messi at PSG and told him: the only thing I'm grateful for is to have been able to play with you in a club, to be able to see you every day.”
Will Lionel Messi be in form to play with Argentina in the World Cup 2026?
Messi proved to be a real goat in the world of football, so in his case, it could be no surprise to see him fit and ready for new challenges. It remains to be seen whether we will see Messi in the 2026 World Cup.
Let's take a look at Argentina's possible starting lineup when they take part in the next World Cup.
How Argentina could line up in World Cup 2026
