News of international football

Lula jokes he is thinking of 'signing Messi' for Brazil

17-06-2026 21:47 Brazil president jokes that his nation should hire Argentina's Lionel Messi to play for his nation's football team.

Magic Messi bags hat-trick, breaks World Cup record as Argentina rout Algeria

17-06-2026 00:44 Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament's joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria.

All eyes on Messi – but don’t forget the supporting cast

12-06-2026 08:48 Argentina can hurt opponents from anywhere on the pitch. There are plenty of candidates to become Messi’s latest World Cup partner-in-crime.

by Dan Edwards

Albiceleste set up camp in Kansas, buoyed by Messi's return

10-06-2026 23:21 Boost for Albiceleste as Lionel Messi nears full fitness, but Julián Álvarez is in a race against time to be fit for Argentina's World Cup opener.

Argentina stroll to pre-World Cup win over Honduras

07-06-2026 11:19 Argentina cruise to 2-0 friendly victory over Honduras in Texas; Marseille central defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury.

Scaloni gives encouraging update on Messi fitness ahead of World Cup

05-06-2026 22:05 National team coach Lionel Scaloni says skipper could play "a few minutes" in upcoming friendly matches, likely one of the two.

Argentina eye World Cup double ahead of Group J opener

29-05-2026 09:50 The Albiceleste arrive at the World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title. But since winning the title in Qatar four years ago, they have not played a single European side.

Can Messi deliver again for Argentina at his final World Cup?

29-05-2026 00:37 It will be a record sixth World Cup for Lionel Messi, and the decision to delay his retirement is a relief for an entire nation.

Messi in as Scaloni names 55-man longlist for World Cup squad

11-05-2026 13:06 Argentina skipper leads a preliminary 55-man shortlist as Argentina prepare to defend their title at World Cup 2026.

Argentina to play Honduras and Iceland in pre-World Cup friendlies

09-04-2026 17:56 'La Scaloneta' will face Honduras on June 6 in Texas and Iceland’s senior side on June 9 in Alabama ahead of World Cup kick-off.

Argentina take it easy on road to World Cup 2026 title defence

26-03-2026 15:02 Since winning the World Cup in 2022, the only notable sides the Albiceleste have faced have been Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. Otherwise, the run of fixtures has been limited to friendlies against lower-level sides.

Tagliafico: Albiceleste must avoid ‘complacency’ at World Cup

25-03-2026 13:29 National team left-back says Argentina must guard against “complacency” as the defending champions prepare to defend their title at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Argentina to set up base camp in Kansas City for 2026 World Cup

05-02-2026 12:48 AFA confirms the Albiceleste will be based in Kansas City for the initial stages of the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Messi scores as Argentina win in Angola

14-11-2025 15:36 Lionel Messi created the first goal and scored the second as world champions Argentina beat Angola 2-0 in an international friendly in Luanda on Friday.

Mac Allister and Martínez braces power Albiceleste win over Puerto Rico

15-10-2025 11:42 Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez each scored two goals as Argentina routed Puerto Rico 6-0 on Tuesday.

Lo Celso scores only goal as Argentina defeat Venezuela in Miami

11-10-2025 07:48 Giovani scores only goal of the game in Albiceleste's 1-0 win against Venezuela; No appearance from skipper Lionel Messi.

Albiceleste #1: Argentina remains top of FIFA rankings

10-07-2025 12:51 Argentina remains the highest-ranked national football team in the worldm, according to FIFA.

Ancelotti in Brazil on mission to restore Seleçao's lost glory

26-05-2025 12:38 Brazilian Football Confederation spent two years wooing Ancelotti to try to turn the page on years of disappointment for the national side and its fans – now the work begins in earnest.

At present, the Albiceleste are unstoppable – even without Messi

27-03-2025 16:10 Why Argentina is doing well without superstar skipper Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni is doing everything right.

Argentina on brink after Almada strike sinks Uruguay

22-03-2025 08:47 Win means Argentina can become first team from region to book a place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a victory over arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.