Scaloni Names Argentina's 26-Player Squad for World Cup, Messi Included

Argentina's national football team coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed the final 26-player roster for the 2026 World Cup, largely sticking with the successful core that secured the 2022 title. Lionel Messi will headline the squad, marking his sixth World Cup appearance, symbolizing the continuity of a project focused on sustained competitiveness.

Scaloni waited until the last moment to finalize the list, a decision influenced by physical concerns among players. Eight of the nine players who had been nursing injuries, including key figures like Messi, Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, and Nahuel Molina, were included. Marcos Acuña was the only player left out due to fitness issues, replaced by Facundo Medina, who offers defensive versatility.

The squad composition reflects a shift from the 2022 roster, with one fewer defender and one additional forward. Scaloni prioritized players who can operate in multiple positions and adapt to various tactical systems, including a three-defender formation. This versatility is seen as crucial given the demanding schedule and potential for physical setbacks during the tournament.

Players like Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina, Nicolás Capaldo, and Agustín Giay exemplify this focus on polyvalence. While Capaldo and Giay were part of an expanded preliminary list and will join the pre-tournament tour, they did not make the final cut. The regulations allow for changes to the definitive list only up to 48 hours before the team's debut, contingent on medical certification of a player's inability to compete.

Despite some players managing muscular discomfort, the squad is built to compete. Argentina, one of the most successful teams in World Cup history with six titles, aims to add a seventh and draw level with Independiente as the most decorated club in continental competitions.