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Argentina announced their 26-member squad for the World Cup on Thursday. As expected, the defending champions will be led by Lionel Messi. This tournament, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be the sixth World Cup for the 38-year-old Inter Miami forward.
Additionally, 17 players from the trophy-winning squad in Qatar in 2022 have returned to this team, including Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has retained players from Argentina’s core squad that won their third World Cup. Despite rumors, the retired Angel Di Maria has not been brought back. The goal-scorer from the last final bid farewell to international football after the 2024 Copa America.
Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso missed the last World Cup due to injury. He now has the opportunity to play in his second World Cup. Despite being with the team in Russia in 2018, the midfielder did not play any matches.
The squad includes several young players who are expected to lead Argentina’s next generation. Valentin Barco, Nicolas Paz, and Giuliano Simeone, along with forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada, are set to play in the World Cup for the first time.
Local media reports indicate that Marcos Acuna, the left-back from the 2022 title-winning squad, could not retain his spot due to fitness concerns. Real Madrid’s promising rising star Franco Mastantuono, Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, and Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia, who have recently shown great potential, were not called up.
Argentina will play their first Group ‘J’ match against Algeria on June 16, followed by two matches against Jordan and Austria.
Argentina’s 26-member squad:
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;
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, and Lautaro Martinez.