Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Full list, predicted lineup, depth chart, latest news

Argentina head to North America as the defending champions after achieving World Cup glory in 2022. 

Lionel Scaloni's side will be aiming to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil won back-to-back World Cups in 1958 and 1962. 

Star man Lionel Messi has been included in the Argentina squad for what will be his sixth and final appearance in a World Cup finals.

La Albiceleste will begin the tournament with a clash against Algeria on June 16 before they face Austria and Jordan in Group J.

Ahead of the tournament, Sports Mole takes an in-depth dive into Argentina's World Cup 2026 squad.

Argentina World Cup 2026 full squad list

Argentina announced their final World Cup squad on May 29, a couple of weeks after making their 55-man preliminary selection public.

Argentina World Cup 2026 predicted XI

Scaloni will likely set up his team in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 formation during the course of the tournament.

If he opts for the latter, Scaloni would start with a front three of Thiago Almada, Julian Alvarez and Messi, as long as the latter makes himself available. 

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will surely be one of the first names on the teamsheet, and he could feature in the middle of the park with Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister.

Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are candidates to form Scaloni's centre-back pairing, although they face competition from the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Marcos Senesi. 

Argentina predicted XI for World Cup 2026: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Fernandez, Paredes, Mac Allister; Messi, Almada, Alvarez

Argentina World Cup 2026 squad latest news

Defender Leonardi Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup after he sustained a calf injury in training.

Scaloni is yet to name a replacement for the Marseille defender, as he weighs up whether to call up a centre-back or a player in another position. 

The Argentina head coach has hinted that further changes could be made, revealing after the 2-0 win over Honduras that "several players still aren’t fully fit".