Having played an emotional final competitive match in Argentina in September 2025, Lionel Messi can finish an astonishing international career by leading his country to back-to-back World Cup titles at the 2026 finals in the US, Canada and Mexico.The eight-time Ballon dOr winner turns 39 during the tournament and is Argentinas record scorer and caps holder, leading to hyper-vigilance in his homeland around the fitness of the national hero and sporting icon.Head coach Lionel Scaloni could also choose to use his talisman sparingly. La Albiceleste will hope to have won their section by the time they face debutants Jordan in their final match of the World Cup group stage.Heres the full confirmed and potential schedule for Messi at the FIFA World Cup 2026. You can also find out the UK TV schedule for the games here.Table of ContentsMessi World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off timesIs Messi playing in the World Cup 2026? Injury news updatesLionel Messi World Cup fixtures: Knockout stage, full bracketLionel Messi next match at FIFA World Cup 2026World Cup 2026: Will Lionel Messi lift the trophy?Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Full list of Messi teammatesMessi World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off timesArgentina face Algeria, Austria and Jordan during the group stage. Heres when those games take place and their subsequent fixtures, as well as how to watch in the UK.DateMatchResultStageTime (BST)ETPTChannelJune 17AlgeriaGroup02:0021:0018:00ITVJune 22AustriaGroup18:0013:0010:00BBCJune 28JordanGroup03:0022:0019:00BBCJuly 1/2/3TBCRound of 32TBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 5/6/7TBCRound of 16TBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 10/11TBCQuarter-finalsTBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 14/15TBCSemi-finalsTBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 18TBCThird-placed match22:0017:0014:00TBCJuly 19TBCFinal20:0015:0012:00BBC, ITVIs Messi playing in the World Cup 2026? Injury news updatesArgentinian alarm bells were ringing when Messi made way with a muscle injury during Inter Miamis final match before the World Cup, but Scaloni said Messi looked good in training in an update the day before his teams campaign began.We believe that everyone not just Argentinians wants to see him on the pitch, said Scaloni. I want to see him play, because thats what he generates for everyone.For me, it will always be like that. I dont see anything negative, honestly, [on the training] pitch.Hes been in different conditions but hes always been there and has always been fundamental for us, so now hell be even more so.Lionel Messi World Cup fixtures: Knockout stage, full bracketShould Argentina justify their status as favourites to win their group, they will face the runners-up from Group H in the last 32. Messis team will meet the winners of that section if they come second.That could produce a tricky-looking tie against Cape Verde who have already held Spain a Saudi Arabia side who beat Argentina at the last edition of the finals or La Roja, the reigning European champions.Argentina will face one of the group winners if they finish among the best-performing third-placed teams in the group stage. You can see the full bracket on FIFAs site.Lionel Messi next match at FIFA World Cup 2026Messis next appearance at the World Cup is set to be in Argentinas opener against Algeria in Kansas on June 17 at 02:00 BST.World Cup 2026: Will Lionel Messi lift the trophy?Argentina are among the favourites to win the World Cup and have kept almost all of the squad who won the trophy in 2022.Barcelona all-time top scorer Messi top-scored in South American qualifying, netting eight times to help Argentina finish nine points clear at the summit.Industrious fellow forward Julian Alvarez scored four goals at the 2022 finals, while Inters Lautaro Martinez averages almost a goal a game internationally and is Argentinas second-top scorer under Scaloni.One of Messis Inter Miami teammates, Rodrigo De Paul, is part of a formidable-looking midfield alongside the likes of Chelseas Enzo Fernandez and Liverpools Alexis Mac Allister, with an experienced defence in front of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, one of the stars of the shootout win over France in the 2022 final.Spain, France, England, Brazil, Portugal and Germany are among the likeliest candidates Argentina will have to beat to the title if Messi is to win one more trophy on his international swansong.Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Full list of Messi teammatesHeres the squad Messi leads at his sixth World Cup, having made a record 26 appearances at the tournament before the start 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 (Real 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) Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexis Mac Allister Argentina National Football Team Cristian Romero Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup Giovani Lo Celso Inter Miami CF Julian Alvarez Lionel Messi Lionel Scaloni Lisandro Martinez Rodrigo de Paul World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Kylian Mbappe: World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, kick off times, where to watch, confirmed news updates and full France squad Ben Miller 16th June, 2026 Argentina v Algeria: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream to watch Lionel Messi, prediction Mitch Fretton 16th June, 2026 Uruguay boss Bielsa defends World Cup photos: I did nothing wrong Ben Miller 16th June, 2026 World Cup star gives Donald Trump message over Iran war: We just want peace Ben Miller 16th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 16th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 16th June, 2026
