Lionel Scaloni has unveiled Argentina’s 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The South American side will compete in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Headlined by superstar Lionel Messi, the reigning champions from Qatar 2022 are hoping to retain the title a feat not achieved since Brazil successfully defended their crown in 1962.
While there are no major surprises, Scaloni has placed his trust in several players who were not part of the squad in Qatar, including Valentín Barco who enjoyed an excellent season in Europe José Manuel López, a Palmeiras centre-forward who provides backup options for Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, and Nico Paz, who is highly regarded by the coaching staff following his strong performances at Como.
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Emiliano Martínez | Aston Villa |
| Gerónimo Rulli | Marseille |
| Juan Musso | Atlético Madrid |
Defenders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Nahuel Molina | Atlético Madrid |
| Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla |
| Cristian Romero | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Leonardo Balerdi | Marseille |
| Nicolás Otamendi | Benfica |
| Lisandro Martínez | Manchester United |
| Nicolás Tagliafico | Lyon |
| Facundo Medina | Lens |
Midfielders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Leandro Paredes | Roma |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool |
| Rodrigo De Paul | Atlético Madrid |
| Giovani Lo Celso | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Enzo Fernández | Chelsea |
| Valentín Barco | Brighton & Hove Albion |
Forwards
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Lionel Messi (C) | Inter Miami |
| Julián Álvarez | Atlético Madrid |
| Lautaro Martínez | Inter Milan |
| Thiago Almada | Lyon |
| Nicolás Paz | Como |
| Nicolás González | Fiorentina |
| Giuliano Simeone | Atlético Madrid |
| José Manuel López | Palmeiras |
“We have players for various roles. If everything goes according to plan, the squad will include players capable of providing us with a bit more dynamism and verticality should we need it,” Scaloni noted in an interview with DSports. “We have already established our style of play, and we won’t be changing it; however, if a situation arises where we must adapt, we will do so. The squad consists of a mix of players who can contribute to both approaches.” (Source: fifa.com)
Selección argentina para el Mundial de 2026
Messi, who is poised to play in his sixth World Cup, enters the tournament on the back of physical discomfort sustained in his last match for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami. “We were watching Messi’s game back at the training complex when we realised he had asked to be substituted, that he wasn’t feeling right,” Scaloni said.
“The initial reports aren’t too bad. Naturally, we would have preferred that nothing had happened to him at all. Now, we just have to wait and see how things develop. I imagine he’ll undergo further tests to confirm whether the situation is truly as they say.”
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who fractured a finger during last week’s UEFA Europa League final while competing for Aston Villa, has also been confirmed, as has defender Cristian Romero, who is himself recovering from a knee problem.
Nine players who were champions four years ago are not included in the squad: Franco Armani, Juan Foyth, Germán Pezzella, Marcos Acuña, Ángel Di María, Alejandro Gómez, Guido Rodríguez, Paulo Dybala, and Ángel Correa. Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono is another notable name to miss the cut.
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