MESSI LEADS ARGENTINA’S FINAL 26-MAN SQUAD FOR 2026 WORLD CUP.

Defending champions Argentina national football team have confirmed their final 26-
man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Messi set to feature in his sixth
and final tournament.

Coach Lionel Scaloni retained much of the core that lifted the trophy in 2022,
including Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez,
Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Nicolas Otamendi.

Otamendi also returns after ending his six-year spell at SL Benfica ahead of a move
to Club Atlético River Plate.

Young talents Nico Paz, Valentin Barco, and Giuliano Simeone were included, but
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and FC Porto midfielder Alan Varela failed to
make the final cut despite being named in the provisional squad.

Argentina will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J at the tournament, which
will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.