The 2026 FIFA World Cup is widely believed to be Lionel Messi’s final appearance on the grandest stage of world football.

Messi will once again lead Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

This will mark the sixth World Cup appearance for the player famously nicknamed “La Pulga” in the prestigious tournament organized by FIFA.

With this achievement, he will stand alongside his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Beyond this historic milestone, Messi is also preparing to guide Argentina in defending their world champion title.

The Albiceleste previously secured the trophy in the 2022 edition after defeating France in the final.

At the same time, the tournament held across North America is expected to be Messi’s last appearance for Argentina in international competitions.

At 38 years of age, many believe that Messi will soon hang up his national team jersey.

Speculation regarding Messi’s retirement timeline has surfaced once again.

No one truly knows when that moment will come—except the Inter Miami captain himself.

Even Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, admitted that he could not predict when Messi would decide to retire.

Scaloni offered a thoughtful response when asked about the rumours surrounding Messi’s retirement.

“He will keep playing for as long as he wants to, because we already know who he is, and it’s no surprise that he’s about to play in his sixth World Cup,” Scaloni told Diario Olé.

“He remains the best because he always wants more and keeps showing that hunger,” he added.

Regarding how many matches Messi will play at the 2026 World Cup, Scaloni said he would consult directly with the player himself.

As is known, this year’s World Cup will adopt a very different format compared to previous editions.

The global football tournament will now feature 48 teams, making it longer due to the introduction of a round of 32.

This change could impact player fitness, especially for Messi, who is now advancing in age, meaning he may not feature in every match throughout the 2026 World Cup.

“Every decision we make, we discuss with him,” Scaloni explained.

“There’s no point in me sitting here and saying I make the decisions: in his case, and I think it’s deserved, I will always speak with him, ask how he feels, and we’ll see if we reach an agreement.”

“I believe that’s how it should be, because even when he struggles on the pitch, he still gives us so much,” Scaloni continued.

“Sometimes, even in those moments of difficulty, it’s better to have him there because of everything he brings,” he concluded.

Messi will lead Argentina’s national team as they aim to defend their World Cup crown, having been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.

With a relatively manageable group, Argentina are expected to progress smoothly to the knockout stage.