FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures, fixtures, kick-off times, where to watch, confirmed news and full Argentina squad
After playing in an emotional final in Argentina in September 2025, Lionel Messi can cap off an amazing international career by leading his country to World Cup titles at the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Eightfold Golden ball the winner turns 39 during the tournament and is Argentina’s all-time record holder in football, which has led to increased vigilance in his homeland over the fitness of the national hero and sporting icon.
Head coach Lionel Scoloni was even able to rest his talisman as the Albiceleste won their section by the time they met debutants Jordan in their final league match World Cup group stage.
Here is Messi’s full confirmed and possible FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule.
Messi’s World Cup match schedule: Confirmed schedule, start time
Here’s Argentina’s fixtures, results and possible fixtures, as well as how to watch in the UK.
An asterisk means that the match starts on the previous day in the declared territory.
| Date | Match | The result | Stage | Time (BST) | ET | PT | Channel |
| June 17 | Algeria | 3-0 | Group | 02:00 | 21:00* | 18:00* | ITV |
| June 22 | Austria | 2-0 | Group | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 a.m | BBC |
| June 28 | Jordan | 3-1 | Group | 03:00 | 22:00* | 19:00* | BBC |
| July 3 | Cape Verde | 3-2 AET) | 1/8 finals | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 | ITV |
| July 7 | Egypt | 1/8 finals | 17:00 | 12:00 | 09:00 | It is being clarified | |
| July 12 | It is being clarified | Quarter finals | 02:00 | 21:00 | 18:00 | It is being clarified | |
| July 15 | It is being clarified | Semi-final | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | It is being clarified | |
| July 18 | It is being clarified | Match for third place | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | It is being clarified | |
| July 19 | It is being clarified | Final | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC, ITV |
Is Messi playing at the 2026 World Cup? Injury news update
Argentina’s alarm went off when Messi picked up a muscle injury during Inter Miami’s final pre-World Cup match, but Scoloni said Messi “looked good” in training the day before his side’s campaign began.
“We think that everyone, not just the Argentinians, wants to see him on the pitch,” Scoloni said. “I want to see him play because that’s what he creates for everyone.
“It will always be like that for me, I honestly don’t see anything negative (in training).
“He’s been in different settings, but he’s always been there and he’s always been fundamental to us, so now he’s going to be even more so.”
Scoloni’s prophecy proved accurate as Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win over Algeria, equaling Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals in the final.
Messi then doubled Klose’s lead, scoring both goals in the subsequent 2-0 win over Algeria, although he kicked an early penalty and added another in each of the wins over Jordan and Cape Verde.
Lionel Messi FIFA World Cup Schedule: Knockout Stage Full Grid
Argentina lived up to their status as favorites to win their group and beat Group H runners-up Cape Verde in the round of 16 to draw with Egypt.
You can see the full bracket FIFA website.
Lionel Messi’s next match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Messi’s next World Cup appearance will be in Argentina’s Round of 16 match against Egypt on July 7 at 17:00 BST.
World Cup 2026: Will Lionel Messi lift the trophy?
Argentina are among the favorites to win the World Cup and have retained almost the entire squad that will lift the trophy in 2022.
Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer Messi scored a best in South American qualifying with eight goals to help Argentina move nine points clear at the top.
Hard-working forward Julián Alvarez scored four goals in the 2022 finals, while Inter’s Lautaro Martinez averages almost a goal per game at international level and is Argentina’s second top scorer under Scaloni.
One of Messi Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul is part of a formidable midfield formation alongside the likes of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Liverpool’s Alexis McAllister, with an experienced defense in front of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, one of the stars of the 2022 shootout final victory over France.
Spain, France, England, Brazil, Portugal and Germany are among the most likely candidates for Argentina to beat for the title if Messi is to win another trophy on his international swansong.
Argentina 2026 World Cup squad: Messi’s full team-mates
Here is the team Messi is leading to his sixth World Cup, having played in the tournament a record 26 times before the finals.
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Villa)
Defenders: Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Mantiel (River Plate), Lisandra Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Attamendi (Benfica), Facunda Medina (Marseille), Nauel Molina (Atleti)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barca (Strasbourg), Giovanni Lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer), Alexis McAllister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).
forwards: Julián Alvarez (Atleti), Lionel Messi (Miami), Nicolas González (Atleti), Thiago Almada (Atleti), Giuliano Simeone (Atleti), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
