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Messi headlines Argentina squad for 2026 World Cup
30th May, 2026 08:47 AM
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has announced his final 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with captain Lionel Messi set to spearhead the reigning champions’ campaign in North America.
The veteran forward, who plays for Inter Miami CF, headlines a talented attacking unit that includes Lautaro Martínez of Inter Milan and Julián Álvarez, currently with Atlético Madrid.
The squad also features several key figures from Argentina’s recent successes, including midfielder Enzo Fernández, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister.
Seventeen members of the group were part of the Argentine side that lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar four years ago, providing valuable experience as the team seeks another global title.
Argentina will begin its Group J campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, before taking on Austria and Jordan in the remaining group fixtures.
Before the tournament gets underway, the South American giants will fine-tune their preparations with international friendlies against Honduras on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and Iceland three days later.
Initially, there were doubts about his fitness ahead of the showdown after Messi sustained muscle fatigue after being forced off during Inter Miami CF’s thrilling 6-4 MLS victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The club later confirmed that the 38-year-old’s return timeline would depend on his “clinical and functional progress”.
Medical examinations later confirmed that the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. attacker experienced “overload associated with muscle fatigue”, as stated by Inter Miami.
However, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was upbeat ahead of Messi’s recovery: “We have to wait for his recovery,” Scaloni said during an interview aired on DSports.
Argentina’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso.
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández.
Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Nico González, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, José Manuel López and Lautaro Martínez.
The three-time world champions will be aiming to successfully defend their crown when the tournament kicks off across the United States, Mexico and Canada next month.
