Who is in Argentina's World Cup 2026 squad?

Argentina's 26-man squad for World Cup 2026 includes captain Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Emiliano Martinez (GK), Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and 17 other players from the 2022 World Cup-winning squad. Lionel Scaloni is the head coach.

Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?

Yes, Lionel Messi is in Argentina's 26-man squad and will captain La Albiceleste in his record-breaking 6th World Cup. Messi will turn 39 during the tournament and shares this record with Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has played 198 games for Argentina and scored 116 goals.

When does Argentina play at World Cup 2026?

Argentina is in Group J and plays: Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City, Austria on June 22 in Dallas, and Jordan on June 28 in Kansas City. They are heavily favored to top the group as defending champions.

Can Argentina win back-to-back World Cups?

No team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Argentina, as defending champions from Qatar 2022, are among the favorites with odds around 6.00 to win it again. With 17 returners from the winning squad and Messi captaining the team, they have a realistic chance.

Who is not in Argentina's World Cup 2026 squad?

Notable absentees include Real Madrid's young star Franco Mastantuono, Aston Villa attacker Emiliano Buendia (despite scoring goal of the tournament in Europa League), and veteran Angel Di Maria. Paulo Dybala was also omitted due to a disrupted Roma season.

Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad: Scaloni's 26 Men + Messi's 6th WC

Lionel Scaloni announced Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with captain Lionel Messi set to play his record-breaking 6th World Cup. The defending champions will look to become the first team since Brazil (1958-1962) to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

17 of the 26 players who lifted the trophy in Qatar 2022 return for the title defense, including Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez, Cristian Romero, and Alexis Mac Allister. "La Scaloneta" begins their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City.

📋 Argentina Full Squad — All 26 Players

🥅 GOALKEEPERS (3)

🧤 Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez · Aston Villa (2022 Champion · GK of Tournament)
🧤 Geronimo Rulli · Marseille
🧤 Juan Musso · Atletico Madrid

🛡️ DEFENDERS (8)

🛡️ Leonardo Balerdi · Marseille
🛡️ Nicolas Tagliafico · Lyon (2022 Champion)
🛡️ Gonzalo Montiel · River Plate (2022 Champion)
🛡️ Lisandro Martinez · Manchester United (2022 Champion)
🛡️ Cristian Romero · Tottenham (2022 Champion)
🛡️ Nicolas Otamendi · Benfica (2022 Champion)
🛡️ Facundo Medina · Marseille (new!)
🛡️ Nahuel Molina · Atletico Madrid (2022 Champion)

⚙️ MIDFIELDERS (7)

⚙️ Leandro Paredes · Boca Juniors (2022 Champion)
⚙️ Rodrigo De Paul · Inter Miami (2022 Champion)
⚙️ Valentin Barco · Strasbourg (WC debut!)
⚙️ Giovani Lo Celso · Real Betis
⚙️ Exequiel Palacios · Bayer Leverkusen (2022 Champion)
⚙️ Alexis Mac Allister · Liverpool (2022 Champion)
⚙️ Enzo Fernandez · Chelsea (2022 Champion)

⚡ FORWARDS (8)

👑 Lionel Messi (C) · Inter Miami (2022 Champion · 6th WC!)
⚡ Julian Alvarez · Atletico Madrid (2022 Champion)
⚡ Lautaro Martinez · Inter Milan (2022 Champion)
⚡ Nicolas Gonzalez · Atletico Madrid
⚡ Thiago Almada · Atletico Madrid (2022 Champion)
⚡ Giuliano Simeone · Atletico Madrid
⚡ Nico Paz · Como (WC debut!)
⚡ Jose Manuel "Flaco" Lopez · Palmeiras (WC debut!)

👑 Messi's 6th World Cup — A Historic Record

Lionel Messi will become only the second player in history to play in 6 World Cups, joining Cristiano Ronaldo (41) and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Messi already holds the record for most World Cup appearances by any player with 26 games.

📊 Messi's Argentina Career

⚽ 116 goals in 198 caps

🏆 2022 WC Winner (Qatar)

🏆 2× Copa America (2021, 2024)

🎂 Will turn 39 during tournament

Messi previously played at the 2006, 2010, 2014 (lost final), 2018, and 2022 (won) tournaments. He was substituted in Inter Miami's recent MLS match due to "muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring, but the issue is not considered serious.

📅 Argentina Group J Fixtures

JUN 17 · 04:00 BST

🇦🇷 Argentina vs Algeria 🇩🇿

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

MATCH 1

JUN 22 · 18:00 BST

🇦🇷 Argentina vs Austria 🇦🇹

AT&T Stadium, Dallas

MATCH 2

JUN 28 · 02:00 BST

🇦🇷 Argentina vs Jordan 🇯🇴

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

MATCH 3

Plus warm-up friendlies: vs Honduras (Jun 6, Texas) and vs Iceland (Jun 9, Auburn)

❌ Notable Omissions

Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid, 18) — Young winger overlooked despite move to Madrid
Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa) — Despite scoring Europa League "goal of the tournament"
Angel Di Maria — Veteran left out
Paulo Dybala — Disrupted season at Roma
Marcos Acuña — Replaced by Facundo Medina
Marcos Senesi — Replaced by Leonardo Balerdi

🇦🇷 Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad