Lionel Messi’s status for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains unknown.
The 2022 World Cup champion and Golden Ball winner suggested Qatar could be his last with the national tournament.
Currently 38 years old, Messi will turn 39 shortly after the tournament begins in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Minor injuries with Inter Miami also contributed to his status being unknown.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni emphasized the decision rests solely with Messi.
“I want him to be there. It’s up to him to decide,” Scaloni previously said in interviews. “We hope he will be there.”
Argentina is seeking to become the first back-to-back winner since Brazil (1958 and 1962). Currently, oddsmakers price Argentina at +800 to win the tournament.
Should Messi announce his international retirement in the tournament build-up, bettors would likely see those odds rise. Currently, only France, Spain and England possess lower odds to win the tournament.
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