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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to feature in the FIFA World Cup for a record-breaking sixth time, marking another milestone in two of football's most legendary international careers.
For their opening Group J fixture, Argentina will take on Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, while Portugal will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group K at Houston Stadium.
Messi and Ronaldo have both appeared in every World Cup since 2006, making their expected participation in 2026 a historic moment for the tournament.
Messi, now 38, enters the tournament as Argentina's leading World Cup figure. He won the trophy with Argentina in 2022 and holds the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 matches. He has also scored 13 goals in the competition.
If Argentina advances beyond the group stage, Messi could continue his campaign after turning 39 on June 24.
Messi will be aiming to lift the World Cup for a second time with Argentina after leading his country to the title in 2022.
His record in the tournament already places him among the most prominent figures in World Cup history, both for his number of appearances and his goal tally for Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is also preparing for his sixth World Cup after Portugal secured its place in the tournament.
Ronaldo has scored 8 goals in 22 World Cup matches across five editions. He is also the first footballer to score in five different World Cups, having found the net in every tournament from 2006 to 2022.
Although he has built one of the most successful careers in football history, Ronaldo has not yet won the World Cup with Portugal. The 2026 tournament gives him another chance to compete for the title.
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