Argentina World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. After years of chasing international glory, Lionel Messi and Argentina slayed their demons en route to a World Cup title in 2022.

Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi has warned that defending Argentina’s World Cup title in 2026 will be a difficult task, while also revealing which nations he considers the main threats, excluding Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi works out during a training session, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., ahead of Saturday's of the MLS Cup soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Credit: AP/Darryl Dyck BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi isn't saying if he plans to play in the 2026 World Cup.

El capitán de la selección argentina Lionel Messi aseguró que el equipo va a luchar al máximo para defender su título de campeón del mundo

Historically, Thomas Muller's teams have an enviable record against Lionel Messi's heading into Saturday's MLS Cup final

El capitán de la selección argentina Lionel Messi aseguró que el equipo va a luchar al máximo para defender su título de

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has left the door open for Messi to play on for as long as he wants, with the iconic No.10 never going to be forced into international retirement. He has shown with Inter Miami in 2025, having helped them to a historic MLS Cup final appearance, that he has lost none of his match-altering magic.

Lionel Messi's Argentina has continued to assert itself as one of the top national teams globally following their 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite this impressive achievement, legend Wesley Sneijder surprisingly left them out,