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FIFA World Cup 2026 posterLionel Messi to lead Argentina at sixth World Cup
Reuters • May 29th, 2026 12:43 pm
Lionel Messi | Photo: Reuters
Lionel Messi will lead Argentina's 26-man squad for the World Cup, with the 38-year-old superstar playing at a sixth tournament.
The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward will spearhead the defending champions at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada to extend his national record.
Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players returning from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.
Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina's third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.
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Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, returned for his second finals after being part of Argentina's squad in Russia in 2018 without making an appearance.
Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team's next generation, including Valentin Barco, Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.
Local media reports said left back Marcos Acuna, part of the 2022 title-winning squad, missed out because of fitness concerns.
Argentina open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.
Argentina World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso.
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez.
Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.
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