Argentina has revealed their 26-player squad for the upcoming World Cup, with Lionel Messi leading the defending champions in the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward will be participating in his sixth World Cup, setting a national record. Among the 17 returning players from the victorious Qatar 2022 squad are Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has maintained the core of the title-winning team, with the exception of veteran winger Angel Di Maria, who retired from international football post the 2024 Copa America. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury, is back for his second appearance after previously being part of the 2018 Russia squad.
The squad includes promising young talents such as Valentin Barco, Nicolas Paz, and Giuliano Simeone, while Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among the newcomers expected to make their World Cup debuts. Reports suggest that Marcos Acuna, a member of the 2022 championship team, was excluded due to fitness issues.
Argentina’s journey in Group J will kick off against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Jordan and Austria. The squad comprises goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, and Juan Musso; defenders Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, and Nahuel Molina; midfielders Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez; and forwards Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, and Lautaro Martinez.
