Lionel Messi Is Not Included In The Argentina Squad For The 2026 World Cup Qualification

Lionel Messi is not included in the Argentina squad for the nearest 2026 World Cup Qualification (Instagram/@leomessi).

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi will not join Argentina for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay this month for not being on the final cast list released on Monday, March 17, 2025.

The 37-year-old was originally on the list of 33 early players on March 2, 2025 despite concerns about his physical condition.

Messi missed three games for Inter Miami due to load management, watching from the sidelines to avoid possible injuries.

After a busy start to the 2025 MLS (Major League Soccer) campaign with three games in a seven-day range, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano announced Messi would be rested due to load management.

Mascherano stressed Messi had not suffered any special injuries, but dismissed the player from every game as a precaution.

The forward missed a total of three games, returning to the pitch against Jamaican club Cavalier FC, in the second leg of the Champions Cup Concacaf last 16.

He is expected to be included in Argentina's newest squad after playing for 90 minutes full against Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

"We are trying to reduce the burden that Messi is experiencing so it doesn't get worse than that. We are trying to overcome it in the best possible way."

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"It's okay"

"It's okay"

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"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

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"Fortunately, we were able to control it and did not turn into injury or worse."

"Today his condition improved and we decided to give him playing minutes. There is no secret in this," Mascherano said ahead of Sunday's game.

The coach later revealed that Inter Miami doctors continued to communicate with the Argentine National Team (Timnas) medical staff to gain information about Messi's status and make appropriate plans.

While Mascherano confirmed that Messi would likely not have a problem with La Albiceleste, a problem arose that prevented the player from playing in the Tango Team.

"Of course the Argentine National Team doctor is contacting the doctor here. They are the ones who specifically discuss it."

"I haven't spoken to the coaching staff yet. If they have a consultation session, I will talk to them. I don't think that's necessary because doctors always contact me," said Mascherano.

Messi will now miss two 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on March 21 and 25, hoping to return to the pitch alongside Inter Miami on March 29, 2025 against Philadelphia Union in regular-season Major League Soccer matches.

La Albiceleste currently leads the 2026 Conmebol Zone World Cup Qualifiers with 25 points in 12 matches.