Lionel Messi’s Argentina were the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup through the CONMEBOL qualifiers, securing their spot with four matches remaining. As they continue preparing to defend the title they won at Qatar 2022, a new report indicates that Lionel Scaloni’s squad will play two friendly matches in the United States ahead of the tournament.
According to Argentine insider Gaston Edul, Messi and Argentina will face two yet-to-be-confirmed opponents between October 8 and 14, with games set to take place in Chicago and New Jersey. There had been speculation that the reigning world champions could play their October friendlies in China, but Edul denied those reports.
Edul also revealed that Venezuela are among the possible opponents for one of the U.S.-based friendlies. Managed by Argentine coach Fernando Batista, Venezuela will also meet Argentina in September during the final two matchdays of South American World Cup qualifying. Argentina’s other September qualifier will be away against Ecuador.
To wrap up their 2025 preparations for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina will play two additional friendlies in November — first against Angola and then against Qatar, with both matches taking place in the opponents’ home countries.
Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates the team’s first goal against Ecuador during the 2024 Copa America. (Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Will Lionel Messi play for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi has not yet confirmed whether he will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Inter Miami star has said he’s open to the idea but hasn’t made a final decision. If he does suit up for Argentina, the World Cup champion would be 39 years old when the tournament begins, sparking questions about whether he will make one final appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.
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Several notable figures in world soccer believe Messi will be there to defend the title he helped Argentina win in 2022. Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario is among them, who spoke with DSports about Messi’s potential role at the 2026 World Cup.
“I see him in great shape, and I think he’ll arrive at the World Cup in good form too,” Ronaldo said when asked about Messi. “I was watching Messi’s games at the Club World Cup, and he’s still got it. Every time he touches the ball, something interesting happens. He always reads the game well, understands the play that needs to be made. If he loses the ball, he tries to get it back. He sprints 30 or 40 meters.”
Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who played alongside Messi in the 2024 Copa America triumph, also spoke about the possibility of seeing the captain in the next World Cup. In an interview with La Nacion, the Real Betis player said there is no doubt the world wants Messi on the field in 2026.
“Everyone hopes he’ll be there, because you think about it more as a fan and not just as a teammate. But these are very personal decisions, and he will decide what he thinks is best. One thing I’m sure of: everyone wants Leo to play in the World Cup, and I want to believe that’s how it will be,” Lo Celso explained.
