Having performed an emotional ultimate aggressive match in Argentina in September 2025, Lionel Messi can end an astonishing worldwide profession by main his nation to back-to-back World Cup titles on the 2026 finals within the US, Canada and Mexico.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner turns 39 throughout the event and is Argentina’s file scorer and caps holder, resulting in hyper-vigilance in his homeland across the health of the nationwide hero and sporting icon.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni has even been capable of relaxation his talisman as a result of La Albiceleste had gained their part by the point they face debutants Jordan of their ultimate match of the World Cup group stage.
Right here’s the complete confirmed and potential schedule for Messi on the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Messi World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off instances
Listed below are Argentina’s fixtures, outcomes and potential schedule, in addition to find out how to watch within the UK.
Asterisk denotes a fixture begins on the day gone by within the acknowledged territory.
| Date | Match | Consequence | Stage | Time (BST) | ET | PT | Channel |
| June 17 | Algeria | 3-0 | Group | 02:00 | 21:00* | 18:00* | ITV |
| June 22 | Austria | 2-0 | Group | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 | BBC |
| June 28 | Jordan | 3-1 | Group | 03:00 | 22:00* | 19:00* | BBC |
| July 3 | Cape Verde | 3-2 AET) | Spherical of 32 | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 | ITV |
| July 7 | Egypt | Spherical of 16 | 17:00 | 12:00 | 09:00 | TBC | |
| July 12 | TBC | Quarter-finals | 02:00 | 21:00 | 18:00 | TBC | |
| July 15 | TBC | Semi-finals | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | TBC | |
| July 18 | TBC | Third-placed match | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | TBC | |
| July 19 | TBC | Closing | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC, ITV |
Is Messi taking part in within the World Cup 2026? Damage information updates
Argentinian alarm bells have been ringing when Messi made manner with a muscle damage throughout Inter Miami’s ultimate match earlier than the World Cup, however Scaloni mentioned Messi “regarded good” in coaching in an replace the day earlier than his group’s marketing campaign started.
“We consider that everybody – not simply Argentinians – needs to see him on the pitch,” mentioned Scaloni. “I wish to see him play, as a result of that’s what he generates for everybody.
“For me, it should all the time be like that. I don’t see something detrimental, actually, [on the training] pitch.
“He’s been in numerous circumstances however he’s all the time been there and has all the time been elementary for us, so now he’ll be much more so.”
Scaloni’s prophecy proved exact when Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 opening win over Algeria, matching Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s file of sixteenth targets on the finals.
Messi then went two away from Klose by scoring each targets within the subsequent 2-0 win over Algeria, though he despatched an early penalty large, and added another in every of the victories over Jordan and Cape Verde.
Lionel Messi World Cup fixtures: Knockout stage, full bracket
Argentina justified their standing as favourites to win their group and beat shock Group H runners-up Cape Verde within the final 32 to arrange a tie with Egypt.
You possibly can see the complete bracket on FIFA’s site.
Lionel Messi subsequent match at FIFA World Cup 2026
Messi’s subsequent look on the World Cup is ready to be in Argentina’s last-16 match towards Egypt on July 7 at 17:00 BST.
World Cup 2026: Will Lionel Messi carry the trophy?
Argentina are among the many favourites to win the World Cup and have saved nearly the entire squad who gained the trophy in 2022.
Barcelona all-time prime scorer Messi top-scored in South American qualifying, netting eight instances to assist Argentina end 9 factors clear on the summit.
Industrious fellow ahead Julian Alvarez scored 4 targets on the 2022 finals, whereas Inter’s Lautaro Martinez averages nearly a objective a recreation internationally and is Argentina’s second-top scorer below Scaloni.
One in every of Messi’s Inter Miami teammates, Rodrigo De Paul, is a part of a formidable-looking midfield alongside the likes of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, with an skilled defence in entrance of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, one of many stars of the shootout win over France within the 2022 ultimate.
Spain, France, England, Brazil, Portugal and Germany are among the many likeliest candidates Argentina should beat to the title if Messi is to win another trophy on his worldwide swansong.
Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Full record of Messi teammates
Right here’s the squad Messi leads at his sixth World Cup, having made a file 26 appearances on the event earlier than the beginning of the finals.
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Villa)
Defenders: Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atleti)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Actual Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atleti), Lionel Messi (Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atleti), Thiago Almada (Atleti), Giuliano Simeone (Atleti), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
