Argentina Announce 26-Player Squad as Scaloni Prepares World Cup Title Defense

Lionel Scaloni has unveiled the 26-player squad called up for Argentina 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 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, such as Valentin Barco — who enjoyed an excellent season in Europe — Jose Manuel Lopez, a Palmeiras centre-forward who provides back-up options for Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, and Nico Paz, who is highly regarded by the coaching staff following his strong performance at Como.

“We have players for various roles. If everything goes according to plan, the squad list 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.”

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 Martinez, 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, German Pezzella, Marcos Acuna, Angel Di Maria, Alejandro Gómez, Guido Rodriguez, Paulo Dybala, and Angel Correa. Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono is another of the big names not to make the cut.

Argentina’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martínez
Geronimo Rulli
Juan Musso

Defenders
Nahuel Molina
Gonzalo Montiel
Cristian Romero
Leonardo Balerdi
Nicolas Otamendi
Lisandro Martinez
Nicolas Tagliafico
Facundo Medina

Midfielders
Leandro Paredes
Alexis Mac Allister
Rodrigo De Paul
Giovanni Lo Celso
Exequiel Palacios
Enzo Fernandez
Valentin Barco

Forwards
Lionel Messi
Julian Alvarez
Lautaro Martinez
Thiago Almada
Nicolas Paz
Nicolas Gonzalez
Giuliano Simeone
Jose Manuel Lopez