A major African national team could be a potential opponent for Lionel Messi’s Argentina just before they face Spain in the Finalissima.

The 2026 World Cup draw is set. Here’s a look at where you can catch Lionel Messi and reigning World Cup champion Argentina.

Is Lionel Messi playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup? That's the question on everyone's minds entering next summer's 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The inaugural edition of the Messi Cup, a tournament launched by Lionel Messi earlier this year for U16 teams, was won by Argentine giants River Plate, who defeated Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s final.

The Argentine media labeled Lionel Messi’s trip to India as tumultuous, putting the blame on the organisers’ inefficiency, discontented followers, and tumultuousness at the venue in Kolkata. The accounts underscored that Messi had to exit prematurely due to the chaos and the operators were already under heavy criticism,

Lionel Messi GOAT Tour of India Highlights: Lionel Messi receives Sachin Tendulkar's India jersey, gives Sunil Chhetri Argentina one in Mumbai Lionel Messi India Tour Live: All the happened today at Wankhede - READ HERE

The children, a mixed group of boys and girls, all wore the Argentina national jersey, while Messi sported a pink t-shirt.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul were also presented with Indian team jerseys with their names and numbers on the back. As expected Messi received the No.10 jersey, with No.9 for Suarez and No.7 for Rodrigo De Paul. Messi was also gifted a framed bat by Jay Shah.