Forward Messi was included in the extended bid of the national team of Argentina for the 2026 World Cup

The Argentina national football team has published an expanded application for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which includes the striker of the Inter Miami football club Lionel Messi.

It is specified that a total of 55 athletes were included in the list, but only 26 football players will be included in the final squad. The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in three countries: the USA, Mexico and Canada, and the Argentine national team will participate in the tournament as the defending champion.

In addition, the squad includes Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.

Messi is a graduate of the Catalan FC Barcelona. He played in the main team from 2003 to 2021. During this period, he played 835 matches, in which he scored 709 goals, adds "Газета.Ru ".

Visa survey: the United States clarified the entry rules for Russians at the 2026 World Cup

You can still apply only in Astana and Warsaw.

On April 30, US President Donald Trump supported the idea of Iran's national team participating in the 2026 World Cup. He also noted that if FIFA President Gianni Infantino allowed the Iranian national team to participate in the World Cup, then it probably has a decent level of play.

Infantino announced at the organization's congress in Vancouver, Canada, on April 30 that the Iranian national football team will participate in the 2026 World Cup and will play its matches in the United States. The Iranian national team will play in the same group with the national teams of Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in the group stage matches in the USA.