Lionel Messi Set for Sixth World Cup as Argentina Name Final Squad

Lionel Scaloni names a balanced squad featuring Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez as Argentina target back-to-back World Cup titles.

Roshan Shrestha

Friday, 29 May 2026, 06:56

File photo: Lionel Messi and Argentina players during an international match.

Argentina have announced their final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with captain Lionel Messi leading the defending champions as they chase a second consecutive world title.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni named the squad on Thursday, retaining the core of the team that won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Despite a recent hamstring concern while playing for Inter Miami, the 38-year-old Messi has been included and is expected to feature in a record sixth World Cup.

Argentina will play warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland before travelling to their base camp in Kansas City ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Messi Leads Strong Argentina Squad

Several key players from Europe’s top clubs have been included in the squad, including Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez are also expected to play crucial roles in Argentina’s title defence.

Argentina Face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J

Argentina have been drawn in Group J and will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16. They will then take on Austria and Jordan in their remaining group-stage matches.

Considered among the favourites to win the tournament, Argentina will once again rely on a blend of experienced stars and emerging young talent.

Argentina’s 26-Man World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers:
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Geronimo Rulli (Marseille)
Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)

Defenders:
Leandro Balerdi (Marseille)
Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)
Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica)
Facundo Medina (Lens)
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders:
Leandro Paredes (Roma)
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
Valentin Barco (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

Forwards:
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus)
Thiago Almada (Lyon)
Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
Nico Paz (Como)
Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras)

Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances in men’s football and is set to extend that mark in 2026. Argentina will head into the tournament aiming to become back-to-back world champions.