Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad: Will Lionel Messi Miss Out? Manager Lionel Scaloni Confirms 6 Players Struggling With Injury

With less than three weeks to go before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has raised concerns about the fitness of several players, including Lionel Messi. Speaking to the media, Scaloni has stated that at least six players are facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup. Messi got injured in the recent club match for Inter Miami, raising further issues for the national side, who are trying to become just the third team to defend the FIFA Men’s World Cup.

“We all wished Messi could have joined the squad fully fit, but that isn’t the reality,” Scaloni said. “It’s not just him. Many players have yet to fully recover from injuries. Our main priority now is their rehabilitation to ensure they reach the World Cup in peak condition.”

“After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload ‌associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,” Messi’s club, Inter Miami, said ‌in a statement. “The timeline for ‌his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”

So far a host of nations have announced their national teams for the World Cup but Argentina remain exception. The deadline for announcing the squad is June 1 with manager Scaloni waiting for the final fitness report.

Netherlands announce squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

On Wednesday, the Netherlands announced their squad with host of big names included. The Netherlands’ top scorer and Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber were both included on Wednesday in the country’s squad for next month’s World Cup despite concerns over their fitness.

The 32-year-old Depay, whose 55 goals are the most for the Dutch, has been struggling with thigh and calf injuries and made only two substitute appearances for his Brazilian club Corinthians in the past two months.

The Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who is to give a press conference later on Wednesday, also picked Timber, who returned to training at his club this week ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final.

Netherlands FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Fleken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Olympique de Marseille), Mats Wiffer & Wiffer Albion)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam).