Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has expressed uncertainty about participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite his strong wish to be part of the tournament. In an interview with ESPN ahead of the World Cup draw in Washington D.C., the 38-year-old star said he hopes to be there but admitted that circumstances could prevent his participation. Messi, who fulfilled his lifelong dream by winning the 2022 Qatar World Cup, stated that even if he cannot play, watching the event as a spectator would still be a special experience. His comments have sparked mixed emotions among fans, many of whom are eager to see him lead Argentina once again on the global stage. The uncertainty stems from his age and the physical demands of top-level football, raising questions about whether the iconic forward will extend his international career to one more World Cup.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup group draw in Washington, Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul expressed his excitement and determination to defend the team’s title. Speaking to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, De Paul revealed he recently discussed preparations with Lionel Messi, emphasizing that the World Cup draw marks the tournament’s true beginning. Reflecting on Argentina’s 2022 triumph under Messi’s leadership, De Paul said the team is ready to face the challenge of retaining the trophy, acknowledging the difficulty of the task. He highlighted Argentina’s strong qualifying performance and stressed unity as the key to success. De Paul, who recently joined Messi at Inter Miami, will also compete in the MLS final against Vancouver Whitecaps before turning full focus to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Messi’s participation in the 2026 tournament remains uncertain, though he expressed hope to play if conditions allow. Regardless, Messi remains central to Argentina’s World Cup plans.

Argentina secured a dominant eight-wicket victory over Brazil in the first T20 of a five-match series held in Buenos Aires on Friday, November 28. Batting first, Brazil managed only 109 runs for eight wickets, with opener Luis Morais scoring an unbeaten 51 off 55 balls. Argentina’s bowlers, led by Lucas Rossi with 3 wickets for just 8 runs and Agustin Rivero with 2 for 18, restricted Brazil effectively. In reply, Argentina chased down the target in just 14.5 overs, thanks to captain Pedro Baron’s 53 off 42 balls. The win gave Argentina a 1–0 lead in the series and extended their unbeaten record against Brazil in T20s to three matches. Both teams began playing international T20 cricket in 2019, with Argentina now holding 17 wins in 29 matches, while Brazil has managed only 4 victories in 16 games. The second match is scheduled for Saturday evening local time.

Two of world football’s most celebrated teams, Brazil and Argentina, are set to meet not on the football field but on the cricket pitch. Brazil has traveled to Argentina for a five-match T20 cricket series, marking a rare bilateral encounter between the two South American nations in this sport. The first T20 match will begin tomorrow, followed by the second and third matches on November 28 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time, respectively. The fourth and fifth matches are scheduled for November 30 at the same times. While both countries are globally known for their football rivalry, their cricketing history is limited, making this series a unique event for fans and a potential boost for cricket’s growth in the region.

Powerful explosions rocked an industrial complex in Ezeiza, near Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday night, injuring at least 15 people and triggering a massive fire that firefighters struggled to contain. The blasts, which occurred across several factories including a chemical and a plastics plant, sent thick smoke billowing into the air, severely reducing visibility in the area. As a result, flights at Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Argentina’s main international gateway located nearby, were delayed or diverted. Local authorities deployed multiple fire engines and ambulances to the site, while hospitals in the Buenos Aires region activated emergency protocols to treat the injured. Most victims reportedly suffered burns and injuries from shattered glass caused by the shock wave. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the explosions, but the fire was described as complex and expected to take a long time to extinguish. Civil defense and health agencies continue to coordinate response efforts.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei narrowly escaped injury after being attacked with stones, bottles, and other projectiles by an angry crowd during a rally in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He was campaigning for upcoming local and midterm elections alongside his sister, Karina Milei, when the incident occurred.
Several objects struck the president, though he managed to flee the scene with his team. The attack comes at a time when Milei is facing public outrage over a corruption scandal that has fueled widespread criticism of his administration.

Argentina’s Supreme Court has upheld a six-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from holding public office for former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner over corruption charges. The court found that during her tenure as First Lady and President, Fernández funneled lucrative public works contracts to companies owned by her close associate, convicted businessman Lázaro Báez, causing significant financial loss to the state. Following the ruling, the country’s Security Ministry has been ordered to prepare a detention center for the 72-year-old former leader.

Four years after the death of football legend Diego Maradona, a trial has begun regarding allegations of medical negligence by seven healthcare professionals involved in his treatment. The accused may face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years if found guilty. Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 due to a heart attack. In 2021, a 20-member medical panel, assembled by the Argentine public prosecutor, stated that Maradona’s chances of survival would have been higher had he received appropriate medical care at a proper healthcare facility. However, the defendants’ lawyer denied the accusations, stating the responsibility for Maradona’s mental treatment lay with others.

Ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month against Brazil and Uruguay, Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni has named a 33-man preliminary squad, including star forward Lionel Messi. Argentina will face Uruguay on March 22 in Montevideo, followed by a match against their eternal rivals Brazil on March 26 at home. Lisandro Martínez has been excluded from the squad due to injury, but nearly all other key players have been included, making it a fully-strengthened squad for Scaloni.