Scaloni's 26-Man Roster · Messi's 6th World Cup · Defending Champions
Updated May 29, 2026 · Goal Oracle AI
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi · Argentina Captain · World Cup 2026 squad #10 · Defending champions
SQUAD
26
2022 RETURNERS
17
MESSI AGE
38→39
WC ODDS
6.00
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)
⚡ 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.
Bet on Argentina to Win World Cup 2026
Argentina odds: 6.00 · defending champions · Messi's 6th WC · Tournament winner, top scorer & Group J markets