Argentina arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as defending champions and one of the tournament's most fearsome sides. Lionel Scaloni has confirmed a 26-man squad headlined by the incomparable Lionel Messi, who makes history by competing in his sixth FIFA World Cup. The Albiceleste carry the weight of expectation that comes with being the reigning world champions, backed by a settled core of 2022 winners and a handful of exciting new faces who are ready to write their own chapters in Argentine football history.
The backbone that won the trophy in Qatar is largely intact: Emiliano Martínez in goal, a commanding defence built around Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, a midfield powered by Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández, and an attack led by Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez. Around that core, Scaloni has added youthful energy through Nico Paz, Valentín Barco, Giuliano Simeone and José Manuel López — players who represent the next wave of Argentine talent. Argentina are drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and they open their campaign in Kansas City.
Group J: Argentina · Algeria · Austria · Jordan First match: Argentina vs Algeria — 16 June 2026, Kansas City Stadium
Argentina first match at the 2026 World Cup
Argentina begin their title defence on 16 June 2026 against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. It is a first World Cup meeting between the two nations, with Argentina expected to set the tempo in Group J from the opening whistle. Messi and his teammates will carry the world's attention into Kansas City as the holders look to make an immediate statement.
Argentina 2026 World Cup squad
World Cup appearances means previous FIFA World Cup final tournaments the player was selected for before 2026, not match appearances.
| Player | Position | Club | Previous World Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Musso | Goalkeeper | Atlético Madrid | 0 |
| Gerónimo Rulli | Goalkeeper | Marseille | 1 |
| Emiliano Martínez | Goalkeeper | Aston Villa | 1 |
| Leonardo Balerdi | Defender | Marseille | 0 |
| Nicolás Tagliafico | Defender | Lyon | 2 |
| Gonzalo Montiel | Defender | River Plate | 1 |
| Lisandro Martínez | Defender | Manchester United | 1 |
| Cristian Romero | Defender | Tottenham Hotspur | 1 |
| Nicolás Otamendi | Defender | Benfica | 3 |
| Facundo Medina | Defender | Marseille | 0 |
| Nahuel Molina | Defender | Atlético Madrid | 1 |
| Leandro Paredes | Midfielder | Boca Juniors | 2 |
| Rodrigo De Paul | Midfielder | Inter Miami | 1 |
| Valentín Barco | Midfielder | Strasbourg | 0 |
| Giovani Lo Celso | Midfielder | Real Betis | 0 |
| Exequiel Palacios | Midfielder | Bayer Leverkusen | 1 |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Midfielder | Liverpool | 1 |
| Enzo Fernández | Midfielder | Chelsea | 1 |
| Julián Álvarez | Attacker | Atlético Madrid | 1 |
| Lionel Messi | Attacker | Inter Miami | 5 |
| Nicolás González | Attacker | Atlético Madrid | 0 |
| Thiago Almada | Attacker | Atlético Madrid | 1 |
| Giuliano Simeone | Attacker | Atlético Madrid | 0 |
| Nico Paz | Attacker | Como | 0 |
| José Manuel López | Attacker | Palmeiras | 0 |
| Lautaro Martínez | Attacker | Inter Milan | 1 |
Key talking points
Messi's sixth World Cup is the defining narrative of Argentina's 2026 campaign. Having appeared at 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022, Messi is the only player in history to compete at six World Cups. His 2022 triumph in Qatar, widely considered the finest individual tournament performance of all time, means he arrives in the United States, Canada and Mexico as a living legend. Whether this is his final appearance on football's biggest stage adds a profound weight to every moment.
The 2022 world-champion spine is retained. Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Messi all return — a continuity that gives Scaloni's squad a familiarity and mental strength that money cannot buy. These players have won together at the highest level and know exactly what it takes.
Young additions bring dynamism and depth. Nico Paz, the tricky Como playmaker, is one of the most exciting young players in Italian football; Valentín Barco is a marauding left-back who has impressed in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg; Giuliano Simeone — son of Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone — brings pace and directness in attack; while José Manuel López has caught the eye with Palmeiras in Brazil. Together they represent the future of Argentine football.
Group J opponents: Algeria, Austria and Jordan provide a mixed challenge. Algeria are dangerous opponents with a strong collective, Austria are an organised and well-coached European side, and Jordan are making their World Cup debut. Argentina will be expected to top the group, but the defending champions will not take any fixture lightly.
Squad by position
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli, Emiliano Martínez
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández
Attackers: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolás González, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, José Manuel López, Lautaro Martínez
FAQ
Who manages Argentina at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Scaloni is Argentina's head coach at the 2026 World Cup. The former defender took charge in 2018 and led the Albiceleste to the Copa América title in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. He is the most successful Argentine manager of the modern era.
Is Lionel Messi in Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes — Lionel Messi is in Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad. It will be his sixth FIFA World Cup, having previously appeared at 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Messi is the only player in history to compete at six World Cups, and he arrives as the reigning world champion and the greatest player to ever represent Argentina.
Who are Argentina's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi leads the squad and is the centrepiece of everything Argentina do. Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez provide the goalscoring threat in the forward line. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández form a dynamic and experienced engine room. Emiliano Martínez is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and Cristian Romero anchors the defence.
When do Argentina play their first game at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina play their first game at the 2026 World Cup on 16 June 2026 against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. It marks the beginning of their defence of the title they won in Qatar in 2022.