Messi Tips US To Pull Off ‘Extraordinary’ 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi reckons the United States will be well up for it as they gear up to co-host the 2026 World Cup – a tournament he all but admits might be his last dance on the big international stage.

The Inter Miami ace, now 37, says the US, along with fellow hosts Mexico and Canada, has everything in place to put on an “extraordinary” show when the world’s biggest football carnival rolls into North America. And while he didn’t go shouting about retirement, you could tell from his tone that this could be his final crack at a major tournament with Argentina.

Messi, crowned a world champion in Qatar back in 2022, insisted the infrastructure Stateside is already miles ahead. “They know how to put on big events, the stadiums are brilliant, and the fans was really getting into the game here,” he said, hinting he’s been impressed by the football boom since joining MLS last year.

Inter Miami coaches has been managing his minutes carefully this season, aware he’s desperate to stay fit long enough to lead the Albiceleste into another World Cup. Sources close to the camp say he’s been sharper in training lately, even if the travel schedule in MLS has been brutal at times.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has kept the door wide open, saying recently that Messi “will go as long as he wants”, and that his presence in the squad still lifts younger players who grew up watching the No.10 dominate world football.

If Messi makes it, Argentina will arrive as defending champions with a genuine shout of going back-to-back. And for the hosts, the pressure will be massive too: the US chasing a first-ever deep run, Mexico eyeing that elusive fifth game, and Canada hoping to prove they’ve not just shown up to make up the numbers.

One thing’s clear: if Messi is there in 2026, the whole tournament tilts a little more in his direction. And if it really is his last shot, he’ll want to go out swinging.