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Are Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar playing in the 2026 World Cup?

By the WorldCupExplain editorial teamUpdated 2026-06-14
In a nutshell

Yes — all three are in their nations' official 26-player squads for 2026. Messi (Argentina, 38), Ronaldo (Portugal, 41) and Neymar (Brazil, 34) all made it. The one caveat: Neymar is still recovering from injury, will miss Brazil's opening match, and is in doubt for the next two.

Key Facts
  • 1All three were named in their countries' official 26-man squads for the 2026 World Cup[4]
  • 2Lionel Messi (Argentina) is 38, turning 39 during the tournament (born June 24, 1987); Argentina are the reigning champions[1]
  • 3Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) is 41 (born February 5, 1985); 2026 is his record sixth World Cup[2]
  • 4Neymar (Brazil) is 34 (born February 5, 1992) but is still recovering from injury — he will miss Brazil's opening match and is in doubt for the next two[3]
  • 5Messi plays his club soccer at Inter Miami (MLS); Ronaldo plays in Saudi Arabia[1]

For people who don't follow soccer closely, the World Cup is often really about three names — and all three made their national squads for 2026.

Is Messi playing?

Yes. At 38, turning 39 mid-tournament, Messi leads reigning champions Argentina in what's widely expected to be his World Cup farewell.

Is Ronaldo playing?

Yes. At 41, Ronaldo makes history just by stepping on the field — no man has played in six World Cups before — and he's in Portugal's squad after scoring at club level in Saudi Arabia.

Is Neymar playing?

He's in Brazil's squad, but it's about fitness, not selection. Still recovering from injury, he'll sit out the opener and is in doubt for the next two group games, so his tournament may only start in the second or third match.

If You Know NFL/NBA...

Think of Messi and Ronaldo as the LeBron-and-Brady-tier legends in the twilight of their careers — every appearance is treated as possibly the last, and a whole tournament's marketing leans on them. Neymar is the supremely gifted star carrying an injury into the postseason, like a banged-up MVP listed as "questionable" who is on the roster but won't suit up for game one.

Sources & References
  1. Transfermarkt — Lionel Messi player profile(accessed 2026-06-13)
  2. Transfermarkt — Cristiano Ronaldo player profile(accessed 2026-06-13)
  3. Transfermarkt — Neymar player profile(accessed 2026-06-13)
  4. FIFA — FIFA World Cup 2026 teams and squads(accessed 2026-06-13)
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