Argentina's Expected Squad and Lineup for 2026 Title Defense

Driven by the extraordinary brilliance of Lionel Messi, Argentina ended a 36-year agonizing wait for the global crown.

In a thrilling final at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, the Albiceleste defeated France on penalties to become world champions for the third time.

Even a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé could not halt Lionel Scaloni’s men. Emiliano Martínez's heroics in the penalty shootout, combined with Messi fulfilling his ultimate dream, created one of the greatest moments in football history.

Now, at the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Argentina faces the challenge of defending their title.

They have already secured their World Cup berth with a dominant performance in the South American qualifiers, where Scaloni’s disciples defeated arch-rivals Brazil both at home and away.

Having won two Copa Américas and a World Cup over the last four years, Argentina will enter this tournament as one of the heavy favorites.

This comes as no surprise, given that the squad still boasts stars like Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister.

Argentina has been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. With just a month left before the tournament kicks off, Scaloni has already released a 55-man provisional squad.

The question now remains: who will make the final 26-man roster?

With nations like Brazil, Germany, and England already announcing their squads, fans are eagerly waiting to know when Argentina will reveal theirs. Reports indicate that head coach Lionel Scaloni will announce the final 26-man squad by May 28.

Goalkeepers
There is no doubt that Emiliano Martínez remains Argentina's first choice between the posts. The Aston Villa goalkeeper was one of the chief architects of Argentina’s success in the 2022 World Cup and the Copa América. His mental fortitude and shot-stopping ability, particularly during penalty shootouts, remain a formidable weapon against opponents.

Marseille’s Gerónimo Rulli is set to serve as his primary backup. Additionally, Atletico Madrid's Juan Musso and Crystal Palace's Walter Benítez are also in contention for a spot in the squad.

Defenders
Argentina currently boasts one of the strongest defensive units in the world. The partnership between Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez is widely regarded as one of the best center-back duos in international football today, Exceling in aggressive defending, ball control, and leadership.

The veteran Nicolás Otamendi remains a crucial squad member, though he has announced that this will be his final World Cup.

For the full-back positions, Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico are Scaloni's top choices, while versatile defenders like Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Acuña, and Kevin Mac Allister provide deep coverage for the squad.

Midfielders
The midfield is arguably the most balanced part of the Argentine squad. Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Leandro Paredes—the core of the 2022 World Cup-winning midfield—continue to enjoy Scaloni’s absolute trust.

However, a new generation is also emerging strongly. Excitement has been building in Argentina around young talents like Franco Mastantuono, Claudio Echeverri, and Nicolás Paz.

On the downside, injuries have cast doubt over the World Cup participation of Giovani Lo Celso and Valentín Carboni.

Attackers
Argentina’s frontline is perhaps their most terrifying asset. Leading the charge is Lionel Messi, who is likely playing in his final World Cup. Even as he approaches his 39th birthday, Messi still possesses the uncanny ability to turn a match on its head.

Alongside him, the presence of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez makes Argentina even more lethal. Álvarez is enjoying an excellent spell at Atletico Madrid, while Lautaro finished as the top scorer of the latest Copa América.

Young forwards like Giuliano Simeone, Alejandro Garnacho, and Matías Soulé are also in Scaloni's plans. However, the retirement of Ángel Di María has left a notable void in terms of veteran experience upfront.

Key Players to Watch
Argentina is synonymous with Lionel Messi. Even after fulfilling his lifelong dream in 2022, his hunger remains unsated. With the 2026 World Cup likely being his final international tournament, the emotions surrounding Messi are higher than ever.

However, this Argentina team is strong because of its collective synergy, not just Messi. Julián Álvarez has developed into one of Europe's most dangerous forwards, maturing significantly under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid with his relentless pressing, goal-scoring, and creative assists.

In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul serves as Scaloni’s "engine," while Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández provide essential tactical balance.

Defensively, Emiliano Martínez symbolizes Argentina's psychological resilience, offering a massive confidence boost in high-stakes games, while the Romero-Lisandro partnership remains a nightmare for opposition attackers.

Furthermore, youngsters like Thiago Almada and Giuliano Simeone could well emerge as Argentina's "X-factors."

Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
Scaloni is expected to stick to his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation:

• Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
• Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico
• Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández (or Thiago Almada)
• Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez