With the 2026 FIFA World Cup still several months away, discussions around Argentina’s squad have intensified, and a near-final list is expected to be announced soon.
According to Argentina outlet TyC Sports, head coach Lionel Scaloni has already prepared a provisional 26-man list, with 20 players virtually confirmed. The remaining spots are set to be decided after final evaluations in the coming months.
Argentina will compete in Group J, playing all group-stage matches in the United States. The defending champions will open their campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, before facing Austria in Dallas on June 22 and Jordan at the same venue on June 27.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆,” 𝑨𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅.
Argentina’s Core Squad Almost Locked In
In goal, Emiliano Martínez remains the undisputed first choice, with Gerónimo Rulli expected to serve as his deputy. The defensive unit is built around familiar names such as Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, and Nicolás Tagliafico.
Scaloni’s trusted midfield group includes Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giovani Lo Celso, while Giuliano Simeone and emerging talent Nicolás Paz have strengthened their chances with recent performances.
The attacking line is led by Lionel Messi, whose participation is expected if he chooses to continue. He is set to be joined by Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González, and Thiago Almada.
“𝑴𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊’𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏,” 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒅.
Fierce Battle for Final Spots
Competition remains intense for the final six places. Walter Benítez is leading the race for the third goalkeeper role. In defence, Juan Foyth, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, and Marcos Senesi are all under consideration, while Marcos Acuña currently edges ahead of youngster Valentín Barco due to experience.
In midfield, Exequiel Palacios and teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono are battling for inclusion, while José Manuel López is in contention for the final attacking slot.
Several high-profile names appear unlikely to cut at this stage. Paulo Dybala has reportedly fallen out of favour due to injury concerns and inconsistency, while Matías Soulé, Alan Varela, and Facundo Cambeses are also outside current plans. Young talents such as Claudio Echeverri, Valentín Carboni, and Valentín Gómez still need to prove themselves.
Alejandro Garnacho remains a question mark despite club-level exposure, while Ángel Correa has yet to cement a permanent role.
With time still on Scaloni’s side, Argentina’s final 2026 World Cup squad remains open to change—but the core is already firmly established.
