Dubai: Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina’s title defence at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, a senior official of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed, as the legendary forward rejoined the national team following a seven-month absence..Remaining matches.After missing the March international window due to a muscle injury, Messi, 38, came on as a sub against Chile and started against Colombia later in June. The World Cup holders, who had already secured qualification earlier this year, are now preparing for their final two matches: against Venezuela on September 9 in Buenos Aires, and Ecuador on September 14 away..Meanwhile, Messi continued his red-hot form at club level, scoring his sixth brace in seven matches as Inter Miami crushed the New York Red Bulls 5-1 in Harrison, New Jersey, early Sunday morning in Major League Soccer (MLS). The World Cup-winning striker delivered one of his best performances of the season, scoring twice and providing two assists to dismantle the 2024 MLS Cup finalists at their home ground..Despite Messi’s absence, Lionel Scaloni’s side sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.Speaking in Dubai during the announcement of a new regional partnership between AFA and LuLu Financial Holdings, Leandro Petersen, AFA’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, said the association has no doubt that Messi will be one of the stars of the next World Cup..“Messi is physically in great shape. He’s had a very good season and will surely give the tournament a leap in quality. Argentina will not only be contenders — Messi will be one of the figures of the tournament,” Petersen said.He also underlined the importance of head coach Lionel Scaloni’s continued presence in the national setup. “The expectation is that Scaloni and his staff will remain for many more years. They are not just coaches — they are ambassadors of Argentine values across the world. Having someone like Scaloni, who represents those values so deeply, is an honour,” Petersen added..“Both Scaloni and Messi have shown the world that Argentina is more than just football — they are leaving a legacy on and off the field. Even when the day comes that they step away, what they’ve built will remain indelible.”.Winter training for Argentina?.Scaloni, who also addressed the media in Dubai, shared his enthusiasm about Argentina’s global outreach. “Sport is in our hearts and lives. This partnership is just the beginning,” he said. “We hope to return in the winter and continue working together for a long time.”.The Dubai event also saw the formal unveiling of LuLu Exchange and LuLu Money as AFA’s Regional Fintech Partners for the Middle East, India, and parts of Southeast Asia. The agreement runs until mid-2026 and covers fan engagement campaigns, merchandise giveaways, and the possibility of in-person player events..“For countless fans, the Argentine team represents more than football — it symbolises hope, resilience, and joy,” said Adeeb Ahamed, Founder and Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings. “Starting in December, we will roll out a major activation across 347 touchpoints in 10 countries, running for six months in the lead-up to the World Cup.”.As the World Cup countdown begins, Argentina may soon find itself more connected than ever to its fans in Asia and the Middle East — with two iconic figures, Messi and Scaloni, leading the way.