Lionel Messi is in Argentina's World Cup squad as coach calms injury fears

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that captain Lionel Messi, despite suffering muscle fatigue and a left hamstring strain, is included in Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The nearly 39-year-old Messi headlines the roster announced by the Argentine Football Association, with 17 members of the squad having also been part of the team that won the 2022 World Cup final against France in Qatar. Several players had been in doubt due to injuries ahead of FIFA's June 1 squad deadline.