Soccer fans around the world eagerly await Lionel Messi’s decision on playing in the 2026 World Cup.
The wait could continue until the end of this year.
Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion and Inter Miami star, said he thinks about playing in the next World Cup but will first consider his health before reaching a final decision.
“The truth is, if you stop and think about it, it feels far away, but at the same time, time flies. … I’ll see how I feel. Of course I think about it, but I don’t want to set goals either,” Messi said during an interview with Simplemente Futbol, released on April 17.
Messi turns 38 on June 24, and will turn 39 during the next World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
First, Messi must get past his 2025 season with Inter Miami, which includes playing in this summer’s Club World Cup.
Messi and Inter Miami will play the Club World Cup opener against Egyptian side Al Ahly on June 14 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Inter Miami will also play against FC Porto (Portugal) in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 19, and SE Palmeiras (Brazil) on June 23 in Miami during the group stage.
The Club World Cup final will be July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The tournament features 32 of the best club teams from around the world, with the winner taking home at least $125 million of a $1 billion prize pool.
Messi returns to action with Inter Miami on April 19 (4:30 p.m. ET) in an MLS regular-season matchup against the Columbus Crew at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. Inter Miami will also begin its two-leg semifinal in the Concacaf Champions Cup against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 24.
Inter Miami has 11 matches to play before the Club World Cup, then will turn its attention to the Leagues Cup tournament between MLS and LIGA MX teams, then the rest of the MLS season and postseason.
“This year will be important for me — to play consistently and feel good,” Messi said regarding his World Cup decision. “I want to take it day by day and see how I feel physically, and most of all, be honest with myself about whether I’m in a condition to be there or not.”
If Messi plays in the next World Cup, he would be the first player to compete in six different World Cups.
Messi led Argentina to its third World Cup title, past Kylian Mbappe and France during their thrilling final in Qatar in December 2022. Argentina won 3-3 (4-2 on penalty kicks).