Lionel Messi Drops 2026 FIFA World Cup Bombshell

Lionel Messi has been evasive when asked if he'll be available for next summer's World Cup.

When the final whistle blew in Qatar, Lionel Messi fell to his knees, overcome with catharsis. It had taken the lot against France in a penalty shootout, but he'd finally led Argentina to a FIFA World Cup championship, one of the precious few honors that he'd not won during his career.

With Argentina securing a spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and getting to hold their title defense in North America, they can do it possibly without their marquee player. Inter Miami forward Messi isn't sure whether he'll be playing with La Albiceleste throughout the competition.

After his win in Qatar, Messi announced the tournament to be his last World Cup. However, after his success with Inter Miami and leading Argentina to the 2024 Copa América championship, everyone thought he would be part of Argentina's squad for 2026.

When the group stage of the tournament hosted by the United States is underway, Canada and Mexico, Messi will be 39 years old and likely under a brief contract extension at Miami in MLS. His contract at MLS is now set to expire by the end of 2025.

"La verdad es que si empiezas a pensar en ello, queda muy lejano pero a la vez se va a pasar rápido, no?" Messi told Simplemente Futbol when asked about his World Cup plans.

"For me this year will be significant, to be able to play with continuity, to feel good. Last year I enrolled in preseason and played a few games, then missed a few games due to injury or not feeling 100%. This preseason has been good, I've played well and I feel good."

Among the 2025 games Messi had to miss were Argentina's March 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers where they clinched their qualification into the 2026 tournament. Nonetheless, he's had a great season playing for Inter Miami, scoring three goals and two assists from six MLS games while taking them to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.

It's a big season. It's begun now and continues to December without any break in June. In addition to that, we've got the Club World Cup in June too, another tournament. There are a lot of games," he continued.

I take it into consideration and wait and observe, but I don't want to set that goal either. I'll do it day by day and see how I feel physically first of all, and be honest with myself too.

Messi has 112 goals in 191 appearances for Argentina and can still play at a level that would serve the Argentina team, a side he'd be on for as long as he wishes.

His former and Miami FC Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez asked Messi about the World Cup and said, "No, no, no, I don't ask him either. I know what he's like and I don't ask him anything in relation to that. Time will tell."

2026 FIFA World Cup is held from June 11 to July 19, 2026. SI