Argentina retain 17 from 2022 squad for 2026 World Cup campaign

Defending champions Argentina have confirmed their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a selection that underscores a heavy reliance on the personnel who secured the title in Qatar. Coach Lionel Scaloni has retained 17 of the 26 players from the 2022 winning side, a decision that signals a preference for proven institutional stability over the integration of emerging talent. The move places significant pressure on an ageing core, led by captain Lionel Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament.

Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, is expected to lead the team despite managing a hamstring injury. While he remains a visionary player and a major set-piece threat, his physical attributes have naturally declined compared to his 2022 peak. Scaloni has indicated that Messi’s minutes will need careful management, suggesting his primary contribution may stem from his presence and aura rather than sustained goal-scoring output. The captain has previously described his September 4 victory over Venezuela as his final competitive international fixture on home soil, leading to widespread expectation that he will retire from international football following this tournament.

The squad composition has drawn attention for the exclusion of highly rated young players. Notably absent are 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, who impressed during his time with Real Madrid, and Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho. Their omission highlights Scaloni’s commitment to a established hierarchy, which includes veteran defenders such as Nicolas Otamendi and Christian Romero, alongside goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose penalty shootout record remains a critical asset.

In attack, the side retains the services of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who was the top scorer in Serie A with 17 goals, and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. The midfield features a blend of Premier League and La Liga quality, including Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, and Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul. New inclusions include Nico Paz from Como and Valentin Barco from Strasbourg, offering a limited injection of youth into a predominantly experienced roster.

Argentina opens their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan. The Albiceleste topped their qualifying group, including a decisive 4-1 victory over Brazil, but face a potentially tricky opening against the 28th-ranked Algerians. If Scaloni leads the team to consecutive World Cup titles, he would become the first manager to achieve this feat since Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938, though the structural challenges of an expanded 48-team tournament and the strength of rivals such as Spain and France present significant governance and tactical hurdles.