Last reviewed: June 2026
Argentina's World Cup 2026 squad is led by captain Lionel Messi, who is defending the trophy Argentina won in Qatar 2022. Argentina are ranked second in the world and are among the favourites to retain the title in North America. They are in Group J with Colombia, DR Congo and a playoff winner.
Key facts
- Argentina are the defending World Cup champions, having won in Qatar in 2022.
- Lionel Messi captains Argentina at his sixth and likely final World Cup.
- Argentina are ranked second in the world by FIFA and are among the tournament favourites.
- Argentina are in Group J with Colombia, DR Congo and an intercontinental playoff winner.
- Argentina qualified through CONMEBOL as one of six South American nations.
- For UK fans, Argentina are in the same knockout bracket as England if both win their groups.
Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad: The Defending Champions
Argentina's World Cup 2026 squad arrives in North America as defending champions. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France on penalties in a final widely regarded as one of the greatest in the tournament's history. The 2026 squad is built around the same core that delivered that victory, with Lionel Messi captaining the side at what is expected to be his sixth and final World Cup. Argentina are ranked second in the world by FIFA and are joint-favourites alongside France, England and Spain to win the 2026 tournament.
Argentina's Key Players for World Cup 2026
Lionel Messi is the central figure in Argentina's 2026 squad. Now in his late 30s, Messi completed the collection of major international trophies with the 2022 World Cup win and the 2021 Copa America victory, the two major international trophies he had previously not won. His inclusion in the 2026 squad was confirmed despite his age, reflecting both his continued quality and his importance to Argentine football culture. Messi plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Julian Alvarez, who scored four goals in the 2022 World Cup and was central to Argentina's tournament success in Qatar, provides the dynamic attacking play alongside Messi. Rodrigo De Paul of Atletico Madrid, Leandro Paredes, and Enzo Fernandez provide the midfield platform. Emiliano Martinez, the goalkeeper who made the critical penalty saves in the 2022 final shootout against France, remains Argentina's first-choice keeper and one of the best goalkeepers in world football.
Argentina's Group J Fixtures
Argentina are in Group J at the 2026 World Cup alongside Colombia, DR Congo and an intercontinental playoff winner. Argentina qualified automatically for the seeded pot as the second-highest ranked nation in the draw, and are expected to advance from Group J without significant difficulty based on the opposition they face. Their group stage matches take place in North America across the June group stage period.
Argentina's results at the 2026 World Cup are of direct interest to UK fans following England. FIFA's tournament design for 2026 includes a structured knockout bracket intended to keep the four top-seeded nations - Spain, Argentina, France and England - apart until at least the semi-finals, assuming each wins their respective group. An England-Argentina semi-final or final would be one of the most historically significant matches in World Cup history, referencing the 1986 quarter-final in which Argentina's Diego Maradona scored both the Hand of God goal and the Goal of the Century.
Argentina's World Cup History
Argentina have won the World Cup three times: in 1978 as hosts in Buenos Aires, in 1986 in Mexico City where Maradona's performance remains one of the greatest in tournament history, and in 2022 in Qatar where Messi finally won the one trophy missing from his collection. They have been runners-up three times: in 1930 to Uruguay in the inaugural tournament, in 1990 to West Germany in Rome, and in 2014 to Germany in Rio de Janeiro. Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup through the CONMEBOL qualification process, which they completed as one of South America's top-performing nations.
Argentina's Manager
Argentina are managed by Lionel Scaloni, who has been in charge since 2018 and delivered both the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup. Scaloni was a journeyman professional player who joined the coaching staff following the 2018 World Cup and was appointed on a caretaker basis before being confirmed permanently. His tactical approach balances defensive solidity with the creative freedom of Messi and the physical output of players like Alvarez and De Paul. Argentina's defensive organisation under Scaloni is one of the key factors in their success since 2018.
Argentina at the 2026 World Cup: UK Context
For UK fans, Argentina's position at the 2026 World Cup is significant for several reasons beyond footballing interest. UK-based fans travelling to matches and following results will be tracking Argentina's progress in relation to England's potential knockout route. Argentina are also the source of some of the tournament's most compelling narrative threads, including Messi's final World Cup, the possibility of back-to-back titles, and the historical weight of Argentina's relationship with English football at major tournaments.
The 1986 quarter-final between England and Argentina remains one of the most discussed matches in both countries' football histories. The 1998 last-16 match and the 2002 group stage fixture also featured significant moments in England-Argentina World Cup history. A meeting in 2026 would be their first World Cup encounter since 2002.
Argentina's Full Squad for World Cup 2026
Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed ahead of the tournament. The squad includes Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez, Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and other key players from the 2022 World Cup winning squad alongside younger players who have emerged in the intervening years. The full official squad list is confirmed at FIFA.com and the Argentine Football Association's official channels.
Emiliano Martinez, who made the decisive saves in the 2022 World Cup final penalty shootout against France, remains Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper. His performances at Aston Villa in the Premier League have maintained his status as one of the world's top goalkeepers. Martinez's relationship with English football fans is complex, given the context of his goalkeeping role against England's penalty-taking players in knockout situations at past tournaments.
Argentina and the Messi Legacy
Lionel Messi's participation in the 2026 World Cup closes a circle that began at Germany 2006. For 16 years between 2006 and 2022, Messi played in five World Cups without winning the trophy. His previous tournament appearances included runner-up finishes in 2014 (losing the final to Germany in extra time) and Copa America finals, before the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup victories finally completed his collection of major international honours. The 2026 tournament is widely expected to be his final World Cup given his age and career stage.
For UK fans, Messi's presence at the 2026 tournament is one of the narratives that extends beyond team loyalties. Whether his final World Cup ends in a second consecutive title defence, an earlier exit, or another final appearance, the 2026 tournament represents the last opportunity for UK-based fans to watch the player widely regarded as the greatest in football history compete at a World Cup.
Argentina's squad for 2026 retains the core identity of the team that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The defensive organisation under Scaloni, the midfield creativity and engine room quality, and the attacking class led by Messi and Alvarez represent a combination that has proven effective at the highest level. Their preparation for the 2026 tournament included CONMEBOL qualifying, where Argentina confirmed their place among the six South American qualifiers, and pre-tournament matches designed to prepare the squad for the North American conditions and the tournament's intensity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Argentina's captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi. This is expected to be Messi's sixth and final World Cup. He captained Argentina to their World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022 and is the most decorated player in the history of the Ballon d'Or award.
What group are Argentina in at the 2026 World Cup?
Group J, alongside Colombia, DR Congo and an intercontinental playoff winner confirmed in March 2026. Argentina were the second-highest ranked nation in the draw and were placed in Pot 1.
Are Argentina favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina are among the tournament's primary favourites, along with France, England and Spain. As defending champions and with Messi in the squad, they command significant attention from analysts and bookmakers. Specific odds change throughout the tournament and should be verified with current sources.
Could England play Argentina at the 2026 World Cup?
Potentially in the semi-finals or final. FIFA's 2026 tournament design keeps the four top-seeded nations - Spain, Argentina, France and England - in different sides of the bracket, meaning they cannot meet before the semi-finals assuming each wins their respective group and advances through the knockout rounds.
