The reigning FIFA World Cup holders land at this year’s tournament with a massive target on their backs and a single goal in mind: defending their global title. Argentina have built an absolute fortress around their legendary 38-year-old captain, Lionel Messi, who is eyeing a historic second trophy to close the curtain on his international career in the best possible way. While Messi’s ultimate partner-in-crime, Ángel Di María, has stepped away from the international stage, coach Lionel Scaloni has retained the core of the squad that triumphed in Qatar four years ago. This big-match experience will undoubtedly be “Albiceleste’s” biggest asset.
Novibet Blog has you covered for the news, historical data and the updates of the 2026 World Cup. Find out the full schedule and the stadiums of the tournament.
Coach
Lionel Scaloni is rightly considered to be the architect of the transformation of Argentina into a trophy-winning machine. Since taking the reins in 2018, The 48-years-old tactician has turned his team into a silverware collector. Under his command, Argentina won the Copa America 2021 (after 28 long years), and 2024, the 2022 FIFA World Cup (first time since 1986) and the “Finalissima” of 2022 against Euro Winner, Italy. This may be his last tournament at the head of the National Team and his players want to hand him the ultimate farewell gift.
Full Squad List
| PLAYER | AGE | TEAM |
Goalkeepers |
||
| Juan MUSSO | 32 | Atletico Madrid |
| Geronimo RULLI | 34 | Marseille |
| Emiliano MARTINEZ | 33 | Aston Villa |
Defenders |
||
| Nicolas TAGLIAFICO | 33 | Lyon |
| Gonzalo MONTIEL | 29 | River Plate |
| Lisandro MARTINEZ | 28 | Manchester United |
| Cristian ROMERO | 28 | Tottenham |
| Nicolas OTAMENDI | 38 | Benfica |
| Facundo MEDINA | 27 | Marseille |
| Nahuel MOLINA | 28 | Atletico Madrid |
| Leonardo BALERDI | 27 | Marseille |
Midfielders |
||
| Leandro PAREDES | 31 | Boca Juniors |
| Alexis MAC ALLISTER | 27 | Liverpool |
| Rodrigo DE PAUL | 32 | Inter Miami |
| Giovanni LO CELSO | 30 | Betis |
| Exequiel PALACIOS | 27 | Leverkusen |
| Enzo FERNANDEZ | 25 | Chelsea |
| Valentin BARCO | 21 | Strasbourg |
Forwards |
||
| Lionel MESSI | 38 | Inter Miami |
| Julian ALVAREZ | 26 | Atletico Madrid |
| Lautaro MARTINEZ | 28 | Inter Milan |
| Thiago ALMADA | 25 | Atletico Madrid |
| Nicolas PAZ | 21 | Como |
| Nicolas GONZALEZ | 28 | Atletico Madrid |
| Giuliano SIMEONE | 23 | Atletico Madrid |
| Jose Manuel LOPEZ | 25 | Palmeiras |
Schedule in Group Phase
17/06 Argentina V Algeria
22/06 Argentina V Austria
28/06 Jordan V Argentina
Major Absences / Surprises
As already mentioned, the major absence is the one of crucial winger Angel Di Maria who retired after the claim of Copa America 2024. Experienced defenders Marcos Acuña and German Pezzela did not make the cut . The surprise inclusion in the final list was the one of Como’s 21 years old midfielder Nico Paz who is considered by many as the next big thing of the national football team.
