Lionel Messi Leads Argentina’s Strong Preliminary List for World Cup 2026
The reigning world champions, Argentina national football team, have officially submitted their preliminary squad list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving supporters an exciting first look at the players who could represent the nation on football’s biggest stage. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has combined experienced stars with emerging young talents as Argentina prepare for another major international campaign.
The preliminary list features some of the biggest names in world football, led by captain Lionel Messi. The legendary forward remains the heart of the national team and continues to inspire Argentina even after lifting the World Cup trophy in 2022. Alongside Messi, key players such as Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez were all included.
- Goalkeepers
- Emiliano Martínez — Aston Villa
- Gerónimo Rulli — Olympique de Marseille
- Juan Musso — Atlético de Madrid
- Walter Benítez — Crystal Palace
- Facundo Cambeses — Racing Club
- Santiago Beltrán — River Plate
- Defenders
- Agustín Giay — Palmeiras
- Gonzalo Montiel — River Plate
- Nahuel Molina — Atlético de Madrid
- Nicolás Capaldo — Hamburg SV
- Kevin Mac Allister — Union Saint-Gilloise
- Lucas Martínez Quarta — River Plate
- Marcos Senesi — Bournemouth
- Lisandro Martínez — Manchester United
- Nicolás Otamendi — Benfica
- Germán Pezzella — River Plate
- Leonardo Balerdi — Olympique de Marseille
- Cristian Romero — Tottenham Hotspur
- Lautaro Di Lollo — Boca Juniors
- Zaid Romero — Getafe
- Facundo Medina — Olympique de Marseille
- Marcos Acuña — River Plate
- Nicolás Tagliafico — Olympique Lyonnais
- Gabriel Rojas — Racing Club
- Midfielders
- Máximo Perrone — Como
- Leandro Paredes — Boca Juniors
- Guido Rodríguez — Valencia
- Aníbal Moreno — River Plate
- Milton Delgado — Boca Juniors
- Alan Varela — Porto
- Ezequiel Fernández — Bayer Leverkusen
- Rodrigo De Paul — Inter Miami
- Exequiel Palacios — Bayer Leverkusen
- Enzo Fernández — Chelsea
- Alexis Mac Allister — Liverpool
- Giovani Lo Celso — Real Betis
- Nicolás Domínguez — Nottingham Forest
- Emiliano Buendía — Aston Villa
- Valentín Barco — Strasbourg
- Forwards
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
- Nicolás Paz — Como
- Franco Mastantuono — Real Madrid
- Thiago Almada — Atlético de Madrid
- Tomás Aranda — Boca Juniors
- Nicolás González — Atlético de Madrid
- Alejandro Garnacho — Chelsea
- Giuliano Simeone — Atlético de Madrid
- Matías Soulé — Roma
- Claudio Echeverri — Girona
- Gianluca Prestianni — Benfica
- Santiago Castro — Bologna
- Lautaro Martínez — Inter Milan
- José Manuel López — Palmeiras
- Julián Álvarez — Atlético de Madrid
- Mateo Pellegrino — Parma
The squad announcement has already generated huge excitement among football fans worldwide. Many supporters believe Argentina still possess enough quality, depth, and experience to challenge for another World Cup title. With legendary figures, proven international stars, and fearless young talents all included, Scaloni appears determined to build a squad capable of defending Argentina’s place at the top of world football.
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