Messi Named to Argentina Squad for Sixth World Cup
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- Messi was named in Argentina's 26‑player squad for the 2026 World Cup, marking his sixth tournament and a record for a defending champion.
- Messi suffered left‑hamstring muscle fatigue during an Inter Miami MLS match, leaving his fitness for the World Cup uncertain pending further tests.
- Scaloni said many Argentine players are still recovering from injuries and the priority is rehabilitation to ensure peak condition for the tournament.
- Argentina will open Group C against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, with later games versus Austria and Jordan, and will play friendlies versus Honduras and Iceland before the World Cup.
- Argentina retained 17 World Cup‑winning players, including De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Julián Álvarez, while omitting Franco Mastantuono, Marcos Senesi, and Emiliano Buendía.
Why it matters: Argentina's championship odds and North American broadcasters' ad revenue for the June 16 opener depend on Messi's fitness, while lingering injuries risk undermining the team's bid for a historic repeat.
