Messi, Julián Álvarez and “Dibu” Martínez head Argentina’s call-up for the 2026 World Cup

Buenos Aires. – Argentina’s national team announced this Thursday the official list of 26 players called up to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026, headed by Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez. Coach Lionel Scaloni once again bet on the core of the team that won in Qatar 2022 and the 2024 Copa América, although the call-up also left some surprises, such as the absence of full-back Marcos Acuña and the inclusion of defender Facundo Medina. The Albiceleste will have 17 players who were part of the world champion squad four years ago, combining experience with young talents who have gained space in the national team in recent years, including Nicolás Paz, Giuliano Simeone and Valentín Barco. The most talked-about absence was Acuña’s, a regular member of the latest squads and an important piece in Argentina’s recent titles. His place will be taken by Medina, defender of Olympique de Marseille with the ability to play both as a left-back and as a central defender. Also left out of the call-up were Alejandro Garnacho, Franco Mastantuono, Emiliano Buendía, Marcos Senesi and Gianluca Prestianni. In goal, Scaloni maintained his trust in Emiliano Martínez as the starter, accompanied by Gerónimo Rulli and Juan Musso. The defense will be led by Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico, along with alternatives such as Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina and the veteran Nicolás Otamendi. In midfield, Argentina will have Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Lo Celso, in addition to Exequiel Palacios, Valentín Barco, Thiago Almada and Giuliano Simeone. The attack will have as its main references Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, in addition to Nicolás González, Nicolás Paz and José Manuel López. Argentina will join Group J of the 2026 World Cup along with the national teams of Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, seeking to defend the title won in Qatar 2022.

Argentina’s Squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, and Juan Musso.

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Facundo Medina, and Nicolás Tagliafico. Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentín Barco, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás González and Nicolás Paz. Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López, and Julián Álvarez.