Argentina national football team players 2026 World Cup list: Key stars and Predicted XI

In 2022, Argentina became World Cup champions after defeating France in a penalty shootout. As the defending champions, they had little difficulty qualifying from the South American region to participate in the 2026 tournament held in North America. goaloomobi.com will predict the Argentina national football team players list for the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina National Football Team Players List for the 2026 World Cup

Below is our projected list of the Argentina national team squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Walter Benítez.

Defender: Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Valentín Barco, Leonardo Balerdi.

Midfielder: Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolás Paz, Thiago Almada.

Striker: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolás González, Franco Mastantuono, Valentín Carboni.

In this list, there are five of the most notable names, including:

1. Lionel Messi

Certainly, Messi remains one of the most important players for the Argentina national team. Coach Lionel Scaloni has continued to call him up for friendly matches, including games against Mauritania and Zambia. If he takes part in the tournament, Messi will become one of the few players in history to appear in six World Cups. Moreover, if he captains Argentina in this competition, he could become the first captain ever to lift two consecutive World Cup trophies.

However, Messi has not officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Cup. Coach Scaloni has stated that the decision depends entirely on Messi, and the team is not rushing him. He wants Messi to make the decision comfortably, based on both his physical condition and mental readiness. At present, Messi remains focused on playing for Inter Miami in MLS, which is also based in one of the host countries, the United States.

2. Lautaro Martínez

The Inter Milan captain is currently one of the most important players in the national team. He recently won the Serie A title with his club in the 2025/26 season and has scored 16 goals and provided 5 assists in 27 matches. With such strong form, he is expected to be a key figure for Argentina at the upcoming World Cup.

In mid-April 2026, Lautaro suffered a muscle injury that forced him to miss several important matches. However, he returned in early May, showing full recovery and readiness for the World Cup in June. With Ángel Di María having stepped away, Lautaro’s responsibility in attack has increased significantly, sharing the scoring burden with Messi and Julián Álvarez.

3. Franco Mastantuono

This emerging young talent from Argentina is performing well at club level and is gaining recognition as one of the country’s brightest prospects. Within the national team, Mastantuono has quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff. Scaloni views him not only as a future star but also as a valuable tactical option, either as a backup for Messi or as an attacking midfielder.

Despite his promising performances, Mastantuono still faces competition from more experienced players such as Nico Paz and Thiago Almada. Nevertheless, he is highly likely to be included in the final 26-man squad. Many observers expect him to play the role of a “super substitute,” coming on in the second half of group stage matches to bring creativity and unpredictability.

4. Cristian Romero

If Messi is the leader of the attack, then Romero is the defensive cornerstone of Argentina under Scaloni. He is the first-choice right center-back, and his partnership with Lisandro Martínez or Nicolás Otamendi has become very effective. Their coordination has helped Argentina keep 7 clean sheets in their last 10 matches leading up to the tournament.

Although Romero’s club form has been inconsistent, he remains a key figure for the national team. He continues to lead in defensive statistics such as interceptions and tackles. His aerial ability has also improved, making him a significant threat during set pieces, especially in corner situations.

5. Nico Paz

Nico Paz is another highly promising young talent. Playing in Serie A, he enjoyed an outstanding season, scoring 12 goals and providing 6 assists in 34 matches, placing him among the most creative players in the league. He became a central figure in his team’s playing style, helping them compete strongly for European qualification spots.

For the Argentina national team, Nico Paz impressed greatly during the March 2026 training camp. He started in a friendly match against Mauritania, scored a stunning free-kick, and received praise from Messi. Currently, Scaloni considers him a potential successor to Ángel Di María or a player who can share the creative responsibility with Messi.

How will Argentina play with their expected squad for the 2026 World Cup?

Argentina is expected to use two main formations: 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. In both systems, Emiliano Martínez will remain the starting goalkeeper, with a defensive line consisting of Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Nicolás Tagliafico.

In the 4-3-3 formation, Rodrigo De Paul is likely to take on a deeper midfield role, while Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister play further forward. The attacking line will feature Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Nicolás González, with Nico Paz or Mastantuono as rotation options.

In the 4-2-3-1 system, Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister will form the midfield double pivot. Coach Scaloni may also use young playmakers such as Nico Paz in a central role, reducing Messi’s defensive workload and allowing him to focus on attacking areas, where he can deliver decisive passes. Lautaro Martínez would then benefit from the spaces created by this attacking structure.

Despite the presence of many young players, the overall tactical objective remains clear: to reduce Messi’s defensive responsibilities. Players such as Nico Paz and De Paul will take on more work off the ball, allowing Messi to conserve energy and make the difference in key moments.

Goaloo Mobi has predicted the Argentina national football team players list for the 2026 World Cup. If you want to learn more about the latest football predictions, please visit our page.