ARG
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP J · POT 1

Argentina
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Lionel Scaloni · Second World Cup as head coach (won the 2022 Qatar edition)
MD1 Jun 17 vs Algeria MD2 Jun 22 vs Austria MD3 Jun 28 vs Jordan
19th World Cup appearance · best finish: Champions (1978, 1986, 2022)
26
Squad size
28.7
Avg. age
24 / 26
Overseas-based
20 / 5
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Defending champions Argentina, under Lionel Scaloni, look to retain the World Cup behind 38-year-old captain Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) — his sixth World Cup, level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the all-time record.

The core of the Qatar 2022 winning side remains. The midfield is built around Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) and Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), with Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter) and Messi leading the attack. Cristian Romero (Tottenham) and Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United) anchor a familiar back line.

Group J pairs Argentina with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. As Pot 1, top spot is the expectation — a solid opener against Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City sets the tone for Messi's farewell tournament.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Predicted 4-3-3 based on the 2022 winning formula, with Messi drifting in from the right alongside Lautaro and Álvarez.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

10
RW · FW
Lionel Messi
Inter Miami · 38
199 caps · 117G WC: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Captain · 6th World Cup (joint all-time record)
CAPTAIN
9
FW · FW
Julián Álvarez
Atlético Madrid · 26 · La Liga
51 caps · 14G WC: 2022
Attacking spearhead
ACE
22
CF · FW
Lautaro Martínez
Inter Milan · 28 · Serie A
77 caps · 37G WC: 2022
Inter's clinical No.9
24
CM · MF
Enzo Fernández
Chelsea · 25 · Premier League
42 caps · 6G WC: 2022
Midfield orchestrator
23
GK · GK
Emiliano Martínez
Aston Villa · 33 · Premier League
59 caps · 0G WC: 2022
Penalty-shootout hero
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 8
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 8
GROUP J

GROUP J.

ARG
Argentina
POT 1
ALG
Algeria
POT 2
AUT
Austria
POT 3
JOR
Jordan
POT 4
Wed, Jun 17
Argentina vs Algeria
Kansas City Stadium · Kansas City, USA
Messi's sixth World Cup opens against Algeria's compact block — Lautaro and Álvarez are tasked with breaking through.
View lineups →
MD1
Mon, Jun 22
Argentina vs Austria
Dallas Stadium · Arlington, USA
Austria's high press under Rangnick will test Argentina's build-up. Mac Allister and Fernández must control midfield.
View lineups →
MD2
Sun, Jun 28
Jordan vs Argentina
Dallas Stadium · Arlington, USA
Squad rotation expected. How Scaloni manages Messi's minutes will be a key talking point.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group J
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Miami Gardens vs Runners-up Group H
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 88
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group J
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Inglewood vs Winners Group H
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 83
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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