The greatest player of all time is officially coming back for one more World Cup.
Argentina announced their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the headline says it all: Lionel Messi is heading to his sixth World Cup as the defending champions prepare to defend the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago.
At 39 years old, Messi continues to rewrite soccer history.
No player has carried this level of expectation for this long while still remaining one of the biggest threats on the planet. After finally completing the ultimate storybook ending by winning the 2022 World Cup, many believed Qatar would be his final international tournament. Instead, Messi is back for one last ride with Argentina aiming to become the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962.
And honestly? Argentina might have the squad to do it.
The team still revolves around Messi’s brilliance, but this roster is loaded with talent across every position. Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez headline the attack alongside Messi, giving Argentina one of the deadliest forward groups in the tournament. Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul continue to provide the perfect midfield balance of creativity, toughness and energy.
Defensively, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez bring aggression and leadership, while Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez remains one of the best big-game goalkeepers in world soccer.
What makes this Argentina squad even scarier is experience. Most of the core from the 2022 championship team is still here. They know how to handle the pressure, the expectations and the chaos that comes with the World Cup.
But the emotional focus will naturally be on Messi.
This tournament feels different. Every touch, every goal and every moment could be the final chapter of the most legendary international career the sport has ever seen. Soccer fans around the world will be watching to see if Messi can somehow produce one final magical run before walking away from the World Cup stage forever.
And unlike previous tournaments where Argentina entered with questions, this team arrives believing it can absolutely win again.
The road will not be easy. France, Spain, Brazil, England and Portugal all look loaded heading into 2026. But nobody will want to face Argentina in a knockout match with Messi still wearing the No. 10 shirt.
Because as long as Messi is on the field, Argentina will believe anything is possible.
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