Lionel Messi opens up on his chances of playing in 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi’s participation in the World Cup next summer seems to still be up in the air, though it sounds as if he will at least be there to watch Argentina defend its crown if he doesn’t play. 

Messi, 38, has left the door open in the past to not participating in the 2026 World Cup, but on the eve of Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., he stopped short of confirming he would play during an interview with ESPN. 

“I hope I can be there. I’ve said before that I’d love to be there,” Messi said. “At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special. 

“The World Cup is special for everyone, for any country — especially for us, because we live it in a completely different way.”

The soccer giant helped Argentina capture the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, earning him his first-ever career World Cup title.

The 2026 World Cup is being hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Argentina is expected to field a talented squad for the tournament.

During the conversation with ESPN, Messi praised his home country’s national team program. 

“The truth is we have extraordinary players, and it’s been shown for years — especially the desire and excitement since [Lionel] Scaloni took over,” Messi said.

“The mentality everyone has. It’s a squad full of winners, with strong mindsets, who want to win more, and that’s contagious. You see it in training, in matches. You see them train and they give everything.

“We’re an amazing group that gets along very well, but in training matches or certain drills, if they have to go hard, they go hard. Everyone gives their all, and that’s a huge strength of this group and this national team.”

Argentina is in Pot 1 for Friday’s draw. 

After winning the World Cup in 2022, Messi made his way to the U.S. and Major League Soccer, joining Inter Miami CF in 2023. 

Messi led the club to the MLS Cup Final to face the Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend in South Florida.