Is Messi Playing in the World Cup 2026?
Lionel Messi secured the highest achievement in soccer in 2022 by winning the World Cup. After captaining Argentina to a 4-2 victory in Qatar over France, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
After securing this legendary trophy, many wonder, will he hang up his cleats or play in the 2026 World Cup?
Messi World Cup 2026 Announcement
Messi has gone back and forth on whether he’ll participate in the 2026 World Cup. During the 2022 World Cup, he said it would be his last. However, he has gone back on the finality of this statement, recently indicating that whether he’ll play in this year’s tournament depends on his fitness.
Messi World Cup Wins
Messi has won the World Cup once, in 2022. He captained Argentina to victory in Qatar, earning the Golden Ball in the process. He’s played in five separate World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), and he already holds the record for most appearances in World Cup matches, with 26.
Inter Miami Games
Since 2023, Messi has been playing in the MLS for Inter Miami, helping boost the popularity of the United States league. Many scrutinized this decision to play in the US, even though his agreement came with partial ownership of the team, partnerships with Apple and adidas, and tens of millions in annual compensation.
If Messi is all you want to see, there are plenty of opportunities to see him play in the US during the current MLS season.
Inter Miami, captained by Messi, is scheduled to play in:
- Orlando, FL - Mar 1st
- Baltimore, MD - Mar 7th
- Nashville, TN - Mar 11th and Aug 15th
- Charlotte, NC - Mar 14th
- Fort Lauderdale, FL - Mar 18th
- Bronx, NY - Mar 22nd
- Miami, FL - Apr 4th, 11th, 25th, May 2nd, 17th, 24th, Jul 22nd, Aug 1st, Aug 29th, and Sept 5th
- Denver, CO - Apr 18th
- Sandy, UT - Apr 22nd
- Toronto, ON - May 9th
- Cincinatti, OH - May 13th
- Montreal, QB - Jul 25th
- Chester, PA - Aug 19th
- Chicago, IL - Sep 9th
See the full Inter Miami schedule and buy tickets now!
Argentina in the World Cup
Where to See Messi in the World Cup
It’s unconfirmed whether Messi will participate in the 2026 World Cup, but if you want to see him, your best bet is attending Argentina’s matches. Argentina is confirmed to play in three cities during the Group stage, with more to be announced later in the tournament. Coming off a victory in the 2022 World Cup, Argentina is expected to make a deep run in the tournament, with or without Messi.
Argentina is confirmed to play in:
- Kansas City, MO - Jun 16th
- Arlington, TX - Jun 22nd & 27th
Is Ronaldo Playing in the World Cup 2026?
Ronaldo has confirmed his intention to play in the World Cup for Portugal once again. Giving the elusive trophy one final shot, he has also confirmed this will be his last World Cup and that his retirement is coming in the next few years.
His first time playing in the United States in over a decade, many are looking forward to this uncommon chance to see Ronaldo on this side of the world. He will continue on his quest to be the first to 1,000 competitive goals in the process.
Will Messi and Ronaldo Play in the World Cup
Until Messi confirms his spot in the tournament, we won’t know how likely this matchup is to happen. Right now, their teams, Portugal and Argentina, are not a confirmed matchup in the early stages of the tournament. However, there’s still a chance they go head-to-head in the quarter-finals if things go smoothly for both teams.
With Ronaldo planning to play in this year’s World Cup and Messi up in the air, Ronaldo could become the only person to participate in six different World Cup tournaments. If Messi participates as well, both of these legends will break this record.
Messi Tickets
Don’t purchase tickets to the World Cup just for Messi, since he’s not a sure thing just yet. Get tickets because it’s the first time in over twenty years that the World Cup has been hosted in the United States. Witness legends in action fighting for the greatest prize in soccer.
