May 29, 2026 | 08:54 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni officially announced his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, with Lionel Messi included in the roster and set for a potential sixth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.Scaloni had initially named 55 players in Argentina’s provisional squad before trimming the list to 26 for the World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting on June 12.If he features in the tournament, Messi will extend his World Cup record with appearances spanning six editions — 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now potentially 2026.The Argentina captain heads into the tournament as a national icon after leading La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, ending the country’s 36-year wait for a world championship since its triumph in 1986.Messi’s inclusion had briefly come into question following fitness concerns. The Inter Miami star recently left his club’s latest match early due to fatigue and hamstring discomfort, but Scaloni ultimately kept faith in the 38-year-old forward.Messi remains a central figure in an Argentina squad that largely retains the backbone of the team that won the World Cup in Qatar.In defense, Scaloni once again called up Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Nahuel Molina.Argentina’s midfield will be led by experienced names including Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, and Giovani Lo Celso.Up front, Messi will be supported by several attacking players currently enjoying strong form, including Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, and Nico Paz.In goal, Emiliano Martinez remains Argentina’s first-choice goalkeeper alongside Juan Musso and Geronimo Rulli.Despite Messi’s inclusion, several notable names failed to make the final squad, including Franco Mastantuono, Gianluca Prestianni, and Marcos Acuna.According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Argentina’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is as follows:Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Olympique Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Racing Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Juan Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)Read: 2026 World Cup: Exploring Houston's Iconic Host Stadium
