Lionel Messi
The captain and the icon. A record sixth World Cup, almost certainly his last, for the man who finally lifted the trophy in 2022. Even at this stage of his career he remains Argentina's creative heartbeat.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Argentina at the 2026 World Cup
The defending champions arrive with the band largely back together. Lionel Scaloni has kept the core of the 2022 winners and built a 26 around Lionel Messi, who plays a record sixth World Cup that is widely expected to be his last. Argentina are in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and they are chasing something no team has done since 1962: retaining the trophy. This is the squad, the group, the fixtures and the case for back-to-back titles.
3
World Cup Titles
26
The Squad
J
Group
6
Messi World Cups
Squad confirmed. Lionel Scaloni named Argentina's 26 on 28 May 2026, with around 17 of the 2022 World Cup winners retained. Lionel Messi captains the side for a record sixth tournament. The most debated omission was the young playmaker Franco Mastantuono. Argentina open against Algeria on 16 June in Kansas City.
The Key Players
The champions' core
Argentina's strength in 2026 is continuity. Most of the spine that won in Qatar is intact, now blended with a few rising names. These are the players the title defence runs through.
Lautaro Martinez
The Inter Milan striker and a reliable international scorer. Lautaro gives Argentina a focal point up front and the movement to stretch deep-lying defences.
Julian Alvarez
A 2022 winner who has only grown. Able to lead the line or play off it, the Atletico Madrid forward gives Scaloni tactical flexibility in the final third.
Enzo Fernandez
The young engine of 2022, now a Chelsea regular. Alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul he forms one of the most balanced midfields in the tournament.
Cristian Romero
The defensive leader. Aggressive and commanding, the Tottenham centre-back anchors the back line alongside the evergreen Nicolas Otamendi.
Emiliano Martinez
The 2022 Golden Glove winner and a penalty-shootout specialist. The Aston Villa goalkeeper remains Argentina's number one and a big-game presence.
The 26
Argentina's squad by position
Here is Argentina's confirmed 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup as named by Lionel Scaloni: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards. Messi is captain. Clubs are shown for the well-established names.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Emiliano MartínezAston Villa
- Gerónimo Rulli
- Juan Musso
Defenders
8 in the squad
- Cristian RomeroTottenham
- Nicolás OtamendiBenfica
- Lisandro MartínezMan Utd
- Nahuel Molina
- Gonzalo Montiel
- Nicolás Tagliafico
- Leonardo Balerdi
- Facundo Medina
Midfielders
7 in the squad
- Rodrigo De PaulInter Miami
- Alexis Mac AllisterLiverpool
- Enzo FernándezChelsea
- Leandro Paredes
- Exequiel Palacios
- Giovani Lo Celso
- Valentín Barco
Forwards
8 in the squad
- Lionel MessiCaptain
- Lautaro MartínezInter Milan
- Julián ÁlvarezAtlético
- Nico González
- Thiago Almada
- Giuliano Simeone
- Nico PazComo
- José Manuel López
Scaloni's selection reflects his usual principle: reward the players who delivered in Qatar, while leaving the door open for a small number of in-form newcomers such as Nico Paz and Giuliano Simeone. The result is one of the most experienced squads at the tournament.
Left at Home
The notable omissions
Continuity meant hard calls on the next generation. These were the names that drew the most attention when they missed the final 26.
Franco Mastantuono
The biggest talking point. One of Argentina's most exciting young players, but Scaloni opted for proven tournament names over the teenager in his final 26.
Marcos Acuna
A 2022 World Cup winner, but the veteran full-back misses out as Scaloni trims the defensive group and leans on Tagliafico and others on the left.
Alejandro Garnacho
Among the young attackers left at home. Garnacho remains one for the future in Argentina's pecking order, with the established forwards ahead of him for now.
Group J
The group and the fixtures
Argentina were drawn into Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Austria are the most established European side in the group and the likely closest challenger; Algeria bring genuine quality from CAF; and Jordan are tournament debutants riding their run to the 2023 Asian Cup final. As reigning champions, Argentina will expect to top the group. Two of their three group games are at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Argentina vs Algeria
Tue 16 Jun 2026
Argentina vs Austria
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Jordan vs Argentina
Sat 27 Jun 2026
Kickoff times are confirmed closer to the tournament. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read about the seeds in our guide to the 12 Pot 1 nations, where Argentina sit as the defending champions.
Back-to-Back
Can Argentina retain the trophy?
No nation has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Argentina arrive with the squad and the motivation to try:
- Continuity is the superpower. Keeping roughly 17 of the 2022 winners means Argentina carry a settled, battle-tested spine into the tournament, the opposite of a rebuild.
- Messi's last dance. A sixth and almost certainly final World Cup gives the whole squad a clear emotional target, and Messi remains a decisive presence in the biggest moments.
- A midfield to control games. De Paul, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez give Scaloni control and legs, the engine room that powered the 2022 run.
- Age is the open question. Several of the key men are a tournament cycle older than in Qatar. Managing legs across a long, hot North American summer will be central to Argentina's hopes.
- A kind-looking group. Group J should give Argentina time to find rhythm before the knockout rounds, where the title will really be decided.
Argentina sit just behind Spain and France in most market projections, roughly level with Brazil and England in the next tier of contenders. The talent and the togetherness are there; history says retaining the trophy is the hardest task in the sport.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Is Lionel Messi in Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Lionel Messi is in Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup and captains the side. It is a record sixth World Cup for Messi, who lifted the trophy in 2022, and it is widely expected to be his last.
Who is Argentina's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Scaloni is Argentina's head coach for the 2026 World Cup. He led Argentina to the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, and named his 26-man squad on 28 May 2026.
What group are Argentina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina are in Group J at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. As defending champions they are heavy favourites to win the group.
What are Argentina's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina play Algeria on 16 June 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, then Austria on 22 June at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and finally Jordan on 27 June, also at AT&T Stadium.
Are Argentina the defending World Cup champions?
Yes. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating France on penalties in the final. In 2026 they are trying to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
How many of the 2022 World Cup winners are in Argentina's 2026 squad?
Around 17 of Argentina's 26-man squad for 2026 were part of the group that won in 2022, including Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. Scaloni has kept the spine and added emerging talent around it.
Who was left out of Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad?
The most discussed omission was the young attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, while veteran defender Marcos Acuna also missed the final 26. Young forwards such as Alejandro Garnacho and Matias Soule were among the other names left out.
Who are Argentina's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi leads the side, with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez up front, a midfield of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, and a defence marshalled by Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi in front of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
When was Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad announced?
Lionel Scaloni named Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on 28 May 2026, confirming Lionel Messi's place for a record sixth tournament.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Argentina are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Brazil
South America's other giant: Ancelotti's Brazil, Vinicius Junior and the chase for a sixth star in Group C.
Read the Brazil guide ›France
The team Argentina beat in the 2022 final: Mbappe's France and Deschamps' last tournament in Group I.
Read the France guide ›Superstars to Watch
The top 12 players going to the 2026 World Cup, led by Argentina's Lionel Messi.
View the top 12 ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Argentina's squad, group and fixtures:
• beIN Sports: Lionel Scaloni's official Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup
• Sports Illustrated: Argentina 2026 World Cup roster confirmed
• FOX Sports: Argentina World Cup 2026 schedule, locations, dates and times
• FIFA: Argentina fixtures, 2026 World Cup
• Wikipedia: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J
• Sports Illustrated: Argentina 2026 World Cup roster confirmed
• FOX Sports: Argentina World Cup 2026 schedule, locations, dates and times
• FIFA: Argentina fixtures, 2026 World Cup
• Wikipedia: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J
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