Argentina captain Lionel Messi becomes the player with the most appearances in FIFA World Cup history after playing in Argentina’s final Group J match against Jordan. Multiple outlets report that the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward extends his World Cup record with an additional appearance in the group stage, taking his total to 28 matches. The reports say Messi’s match against Jordan is the key event that moves him to the top of the all-time list for appearances, surpassing other players who previously held records for World Cup participation. The articles frame the update as part of ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament statistics, reflecting how players’ involvement in group matches contributes to career totals. Both sources agree on the identity of the player—Lionel Messi—his team—Argentina—and the timing and opponent associated with the record-setting appearance. No other competing player is identified in the provided summaries as part of the comparison.