Lionel Scaloni isn't a man who likes to rush things. If you’ve followed his tenure, you know he values the "proceso" more than the immediate headline. Right now, everyone is asking the same thing: who makes the cut? The world cup squad argentina is a puzzle with about fifty pieces and only twenty-six slots. Honestly, it's a headache for him, but a good one.
The reigning champions are heading into 2026 with a target on their backs. They aren't the scrappy underdogs of 2018 anymore. They're the benchmark.
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The Messi Reality Check
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the GOAT in the room. Lionel Messi is 38. By the time the opening whistle blows in Kansas City against Algeria on June 16, he’ll be days away from 39.
Is he playing? Scaloni says the door is open. Messi himself says "one day at a time." It’s kinda stressful for the fans, but makes sense for a guy who has won every single trophy available on the planet. He’s been training with Inter Miami, keeping that left foot sharp, and leading CONMEBOL with eight goals during the qualifiers. He doesn't need to sprint past three defenders anymore. He just needs to exist in those pockets of space that only he can see.
The dynamic has shifted. In Qatar, the team played for him. In 2026, they might have to play with him in a different way. He’ll likely drift from that right wing, linking up with Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández.
The Midfield Engine Room
If the defense is the floor and the attack is the ceiling, the midfield is the actual house. This is where Argentina wins games.
Alexis Mac Allister has become undroppable. His move to Liverpool didn't just boost his profile; it turned him into a tactical chameleon. Then you've got Rodrigo De Paul. People joke that he’s Messi’s bodyguard, but his work rate is insane. He’s the engine. You don't win a World Cup without a guy who is willing to run through a brick wall for ninety minutes.
Then there are the kids. This is what most people are actually getting wrong about the world cup squad argentina. It isn't just the 2022 veterans.
- Nico Paz: The kid has been lighting it up at Como. He’s got that "Scaloneta" DNA—technical, calm, and surprisingly physical.
- Franco Mastantuono: Only 18, and already linked to Real Madrid. He’s the wildcard.
- Thiago Almada: He’s already a veteran in this system despite his age. His ability to play wide or central gives Scaloni options.
A Defense That Actually Defends
For years, Argentina’s defense was a meme. Not anymore. Cristian "Cuti" Romero is the heartbeat of the backline. He plays on the edge of a red card every game, and that’s exactly why the fans love him. He brings a nastiness that Argentina lacked for a decade.
Next to him, Lisandro Martínez provides the silk to Romero's sandpaper. "The Butcher" is essential for playing out from the back. However, age is creeping up on the flanks. Nicolás Otamendi is 37. While his experience is vital, Scaloni has been looking at younger options like Leonardo Balerdi and Julio Soler to ensure they don't get caught out by pure pace.
And then there's Dibu. Emiliano Martínez.
He is the most hated man in football if you aren't Argentinian.
If you are? He’s a god.
His performance for Aston Villa has kept him at the very top of the Yashin Trophy rankings. He’s the psychological edge. Teams are scared of him in penalty shootouts before the game even starts.
The Forward Dilemma
Who starts up top? This is the most contested spot in the world cup squad argentina.
You have Julián Álvarez, who is basically a defensive forward who scores bangers. His energy is what allowed Messi to "rest" during games in 2022. On the other hand, Lautaro Martínez is a pure, cold-blooded number nine. He’s coming into his prime at Inter Milan.
Scaloni has experimented with playing them together, but it often sacrifices width. With Nicolás González and Alejandro Garnacho providing speed on the wings, the "Spider" and "The Bull" might have to keep rotating. It’s a luxury most managers would kill for.
Why This Time is Different
History is against them. No, seriously.
Argentina has lost their opening match in both of the previous tournaments where they were defending champions (1982 and 1990).
Scaloni is obsessed with avoiding that "champion's curse."
The group with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan looks easy on paper, but Algeria has a nasty habit of upsetting big teams.
The squad is currently being whittled down from a 50-man preliminary list. Scaloni met Messi for coffee in Spain recently. They weren't just talking about the weather. They were talking about the gaps. The coach is looking for players who haven't lost that hunger. He famously said that performance on the field matters more than age or what they did in Qatar.
Tactical Flexibility
Don't expect a rigid 4-3-3.
Argentina has become a shape-shifter.
Against heavy-pressing teams, they’ll drop into a 4-4-2.
If they need to chase a game, they’ll move to a 3-4-3 with the fullbacks pushing high.
This adaptability is why they finished top of the CONMEBOL qualifiers with only two losses in 18 games. They aren't just talented; they're smart.
Key Players to Watch
- Enzo Fernández: The tempo-setter. If he's "on," Argentina is unbeatable.
- Valentín Barco: A modern fullback/midfield hybrid who could be a secret weapon off the bench.
- Exequiel Palacios: Often overlooked, but his tactical discipline at Leverkusen makes him the perfect sub to close out games.
The world cup squad argentina isn't just a list of names. It’s a hierarchy. There’s a clear leadership structure with Messi, De Paul, and Otamendi, but the integration of guys like Nico Paz and Claudio Echeverri shows that the future is already here.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the selection process, watch the club minutes for the fringe players. Scaloni has a strict "you must play to be picked" rule for everyone except Messi. Keep an eye on the fitness of Lisandro Martínez; his health is the lynchpin for the entire defensive transition.
The final roster will likely be announced in May. Until then, every friendly and every club match is an audition. Argentina isn't just going to North America to participate. They are going to defend the throne.
The strategy is simple: keep the core, inject youth, and hope the Number 10 has one more month of magic left in his boots.