Scaloni confirms Argentina squad for the World Cup: Whos made the cut?

Argentina’s men’s national football team head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Thursday the list of players that will represent the country at the 2026 World Cup.  Announced in a video showing Scaloni sealing a letter containing the list of called-up players, which is then passed hand-to-hand among Argentines across the country, the squad is one of the last to be unveiled for the tournament, with 26 nations having already named their rosters. The squad is fairly predictable, with few surprises and notable absences. A total of 17 players from the championship-winning squad at Qatar 2022 will return to the World Cup, setting a new record for the national team. The previous record was set by 13 players who returned for the 2002 tournament after featuring in 1998. The average age of the Argentine national team’s roster for the 2026 World Cup is 29 years and 9 days. It’s a high number — higher than Qatar 2022’s average — when compared to other favorites like France, Germany, Brazil or England. The biggest news up front is undoubtedly the confirmation that Lionel Messi will play his sixth World Cup. The Argentine captain has teetered on the edge ever since the Qatar 2022 victory, never fully confirming his intention to appear, so Argentine fans released a collective sigh of relief at his inclusion. Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez remains the owner of Argentina’s goal, with usual backup Gerónimo Rulli making a return, while Atlético de Madrid’s Juan Musso replaces Franco Armani as the third choice. In defense, the biggest news is the exclusion of Qatar 2022 champion Marcos Acuña, who lost his spot to Olympique de Marseille’s Facundo Medina, a versatile defender who can play as a center-back or left-back.  Another who missed out is Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, who was edged out by Leonardo Balerdi in the spot left vacant by Germán Pezzella. The midfield sees the core structure from the previous World Cup make a return, with a few exceptions.  Highlights include the appearance of Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso, who missed out on a Qatar 2022 berth due to injury after being a key player for Scaloni, and the appearance of Spanish-born Nicolás Paz and former Boca Juniors wonderkid Valentín Barco. In the attack, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez will remain the two biggest options, with Palmeiras’ José Manuel López earning the spot vacated by Paulo Dybala. Others were less lucky. Former River Plate starlet Franco Mastantuono was left out after a hard start to life at Real Madrid. Another who missed out was Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho, who, despite being a big part of Scaloni’s team in earlier years, has lost ground after struggling with his club.