[Official Announcement] 'GOAT' Messi, 6th consecutive World Cup participation confirmed... 'Defending champion' Argentina unveils final 26-man roster

*This content was translated by AI.

Argentina, the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar champions, has finally confirmed its final 26-man squad for the North American World Cup. Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) has also been confirmed to participate in his sixth consecutive World Cup.

The Argentine Football Association announced on the 29th (Korean time) the final roster for the 2026 North American World Cup, selected by head coach Lionel Scaloni. Having secured their third World Cup trophy in history at Qatar, Argentina aims once again to claim the top spot in the world at this tournament.

Known as the 'God of Football,' Messi is on the verge of achieving a historic milestone by making the final roster. With 26 career World Cup appearances, Messi holds the record for the most appearances in World Cup history. If he steps onto the North American stage this summer, he will join Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Al Nassr) in achieving the unprecedented feat of advancing to six consecutive World Cup finals in men's football history.

According to the UK's 'BBC,' Messi, who recently raised concerns about injury after being substituted during a match with his club team, has been diagnosed with simple muscle fatigue and is confirmed to have no issues participating in the World Cup. Having played 198 international matches, if Messi participates in both upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland in the United States just before the tournament begins, he will reach the milestone of 200 career international appearances.

Coach Scaloni included a large number of key players from the Qatar championship squad. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), who won the tournament's best goalkeeper award four years ago in Qatar, continues to guard the goal. Defenders Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United) and Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), who have been active in England, are part of the defensive lineup. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) and Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) remain in the squad.

Placed in Group J for this tournament, Argentina will face Algeria in their opening match at 10 a.m. on the 17th at Kansas City Stadium. They will play their second group stage match against Austria at 2 a.m. on the 23rd at Dallas Stadium, followed by their final group stage match against Jordan at 11 a.m. on the 28th at the same venue.

GK: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid)

DF: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Valenti (Olympique Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Facundo Medina (Marseille)

MF: Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Valentín Barco (Racing Strasbourg)

FW: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás González (Atlético Madrid), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Nico Paz (Como)

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*This content was translated by AI.