As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Argentina is determined to end the tournament on a high note, hoping to secure a second consecutive title. The team, led by Lionel Messi, who turns 39 this month, has a chance to make history by becoming the first to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1962. Messi, recovering from a hamstring injury, has expressed his competitive spirit and commitment to the sport. Coach Lionel Scaloni is banking on 17 players from the victorious 2022 squad, despite their varying fitness levels. Argentina's first match is scheduled against Algeria on June 16, 2026, in Kansas City. The squad also features debutants and key players like Julián Álvarez, while notable absences include Ángel Di María, who retired from international football in 2024. Messi's potential retirement from international play adds an emotional layer to the tournament, as he has hinted that this may be his last World Cup.