FORT LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul have been named to Argentina’s roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving the South Florida club two players on the defending champions’ squad as the tournament kicks off June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Messi, who holds 198 caps and 116 goals for Argentina, will compete in his sixth World Cup. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner cemented his legacy on the sport’s biggest stage with two goals against France in the 2022 final, earning Golden Ball honors as the tournament’s top player with seven goals and three assists while powering Argentina to their third World Cup trophy. He has appeared in a record 26 World Cup matches, producing 13 goals and eight assists — three goals shy of tying Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 World Cup goals.
The 2026 tournament has expanded from the usual 32 nations to 48 total. The top two teams advance from each group, and the top eight third-place finishers also make the Round of 32. Argentina are drawn into Group J, opening against Algeria on June 16 at 9 p.m. ET in Kansas City, Missouri, then facing Austria on June 22 at 1 p.m. ET and Jordan on June 27 at 10 p.m. ET, both in Dallas, Texas. The tournament runs through July 19.
Messi came stateside in July 2023 after a legendary European career with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, a move that transformed North American soccer and elevated Inter Miami’s global profile. The back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP holds a world-record 47 titles for club and country, most recently capturing MLS Cup 2025 with the Herons. He has posted an astounding 90 goals and 51 assists in 104 matches for the club.
De Paul, who carries 85 caps and two goals for Argentina, was emphatic at the 2022 World Cup, starting all seven matches en route to the tournament victory. He played 102 minutes in the final against France, which Argentina won 7-5 on penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw. De Paul has remained a key figure under manager Lionel Scaloni, helping Argentina win the 2024 Copa América and top Conmebol qualifiers during the 2026 cycle.
At club level, De Paul joined forces with Messi and Inter Miami in July 2025 on loan from LaLiga’s Atlético Madrid. He helped them capture last year’s MLS Cup title and scored the game-winning goal in the 3-1 final victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Ahead of the 2026 MLS season, Inter Miami permanently acquired De Paul for reportedly around $17 million, making him a Designated Player.
Argentina open group play against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.