To qualify, Argentina navigated the demanding South American group as clear favorites and lived up to those expectations. The team opened with four straight wins, scoring seven goals and keeping four clean sheets, before a surprising 2-0 loss to Uruguay on matchday five in Buenos Aires. Against Brazil, Nicolas Otamendi's lone goal in Rio de Janeiro sealed the victory. Argentina closed the first half of qualifying with a victory over Chile, a defeat to Colombia, and a draw against Venezuela, finishing three points clear at the top. Argentina officially secured its spot on matchday 14 with a 4-1 thrashing of Brazil in Buenos Aires, becoming the first South American side to qualify with four matches still remaining. They collected seven more points down the stretch to win the group with 38 points, nine ahead of runner-up Ecuador.
The squad is headlined by Messi, who will appear in his sixth World Cup. Seventeen players return from the team that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, including Emiliano Martinez, Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 tournament through injury, returns for his second finals after being part of the 2018 squad in Russia without playing. Argentina also called up emerging talents such as Valentin Barco, Nicolas Paz, and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are set for their first World Cup appearances, along with Olympique de Marseille's Facundo Medina. Notable omissions include defender Marcos Acuna, forward Paulo Dybala, and young forward Franco Mastantuono.
Argentina is drawn into Group J alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. La Albiceleste open their campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Missouri, then face Austria on June 22 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Their final group match is against Jordan on June 27, also at AT&T Stadium.
Argentina 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alex Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid)
