<p>Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina's defence at the FIFA World Cup 2026 afte being named in their 26-man squad.</p><p>The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record, while Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players returning from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.</p>.FIFA World Cup 2026 | Lionel Messi injury update: Fitness not that bad, says Argentina coach Scaloni .<p>Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina's third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.</p><p>Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, returned for his second finals after being part of Argentina's squad in Russia in 2018 without making an appearance.</p><p>Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team's next generation, including Valentin Barco, Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.</p><p>At the FIFA World Cup 2026 which will run from June 11 to July 19, Argentina are drawn in Group J along with Algeria, Jordan and Austria. </p><p><strong>Squad:</strong> </p><p><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso.</p><p><strong>Defenders:</strong> Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.</p><p><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez.</p><p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez</p><p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>
<p>Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina's defence at the FIFA World Cup 2026 afte being named in their 26-man squad.</p><p>The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record, while Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players returning from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.</p>.FIFA World Cup 2026 | Lionel Messi injury update: Fitness not that bad, says Argentina coach Scaloni .<p>Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina's third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.</p><p>Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, returned for his second finals after being part of Argentina's squad in Russia in 2018 without making an appearance.</p><p>Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team's next generation, including Valentin Barco, Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.</p><p>At the FIFA World Cup 2026 which will run from June 11 to July 19, Argentina are drawn in Group J along with Algeria, Jordan and Austria. </p><p><strong>Squad:</strong> </p><p><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso.</p><p><strong>Defenders:</strong> Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.</p><p><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez.</p><p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez</p><p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>
