m88worldcups.com – Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that he held a private meeting with Lionel Messi, with details of the discussion now beginning to emerge.

The Albiceleste are planning their strategy to defend their World Cup title. After winning the global tournament in Qatar 2022, their goal is to achieve back-to-back success in 2026, with the legendary Messi expected to play a key role in the pursuit of the trophy.

Will Messi Play in the 2026 World Cup?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not yet provided official confirmation regarding his participation.

Currently, Messi plays for Inter Miami, the MLS Cup champions in the United States, and many predict he will return to feature in a major tournament on the American continent.

Messi shared his World Cup plans: “I hope to participate. I have said before that I want to be there. At the very least, I will watch in person, and that will be a special moment. The World Cup is special for everyone, for every country—especially for us because we experienced it differently.”

He added to ESPN regarding his discussion with Scaloni: “Honestly, we have already talked about it. He understands, and we have discussed a lot. He always says he wants me to be present in any role. We have a relationship based on trust and can discuss everything.”

What Did Scaloni Discuss with Messi?

Scaloni held further discussions with his trusted captain. Messi returned to Argentina during the MLS off-season, using the time to relax with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children.

Scaloni told AFA Estudio: “I met Leo because we happened to be nearby. We had coffee together. For those who know him, he is never truly relaxed. He is a true competitor. He always wants to be present. That is important for his teammates—that a captain behaves this way. He is always ready to play. That is the legacy he will leave. Those who come after him must continue it.”

When asked whether the meeting involved the selection of international players, Scaloni added: “We did not discuss the World Cup. We will see later. As he said, there is still time. We must not put pressure on him and must let him remain calm.”

Argentina Maintains a 50-Player World Cup List

Scaloni admitted that he has prepared a “list of around 50 players” at present, which will be narrowed down over the coming months.

He explained: “In the previous World Cup, we experienced a situation with injured players leading up to the tournament. We could not rule anyone out. That is why our list is quite large.”

One candidate is Thiago Almada. The 24-year-old midfielder was previously seen as a potential successor to Messi in the number 10 role, but he has faced a difficult period at his La Liga club, Atletico Madrid, since moving to Spain in the summer of 2025.

Scaloni commented on Almada, a 2022 World Cup winner: “We cannot intervene, and we never have. After he makes a decision, we will analyze his performance and see if he plays according to his abilities. The case of Thiago is the same; I do not know what will happen, but we will assess any decision he makes. Clearly, he is an important player for us. Performance will determine it, not the league or his club.”

2026 World Cup: Argentina’s Group Stage Opponents

Scaloni expects his 2026 squad to resemble the team that won the World Cup in Qatar.

The 47-year-old coach stated that there is no “reason for change” and that the defending champions “deserve” to compete again.

He added: “They must be in top condition as the matches approach. I am not saying it is pointless to start preparations now, but the crucial part will begin in March. They need a bit of luck to be at peak performance.”

Argentina has been placed in Group J for the 2026 World Cup. They will open their title defense against Algeria on 26 June in Kansas City, before facing Austria and Jordan.