Lionel Messi headlines Argentina squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi leads Argentina into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the defending champions prepare for another title run. 

Foto: Getty Images

Argentina officially announced its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, with Lionel Messi once again leading the defending world champions into football’s biggest tournament.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni kept the core of the squad that captured the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, maintaining continuity across every line of the team.

Players such as Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez all return as key pieces of Argentina’s title defense.

Still, the spotlight naturally remains on Messi.

The Argentine captain is preparing for what could be his sixth and final World Cup appearance. The Inter Miami star enters the tournament cycle with 116 goals and 61 assists in 198 international appearances, although recent muscle discomfort raised brief concerns before the official announcement.

Argentina will begin preparations in Ezeiza before traveling to the United States for friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland ahead of the tournament.

The squad also features several younger players expected to begin the country’s next generation, including Nicolás Paz, Giuliano Simeone and Valentín Barco.

Notable absences from the final roster include Marcos Acuña, Alejandro Garnacho, Matías Soulé, Emiliano Buendía and Franco Mastantuono.

Argentina will open its World Cup campaign in a group featuring Algeria, Austria and Jordan as the reigning champions attempt to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a World Cup title.

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso.

Defenses: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Nicolás Tagliafico.

Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Valentín Barco, Nicolás Paz.

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás González, José Manuel López.