Who is in the Argentina dugout? Legends plotting England downfall | OneFootball

Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff includes some very recognisable faces from World Cups gone by

England take on reigning champions Argentina for a place in the World Cup 2026 final on Wednesday.

The two rivals face off for the first time in over 20 years as they meet at Atlanta Stadium in what is expected to be a fiery encounter.

England and Argentina have a long and contentious history, both on and off the pitch, and there is likely to be plenty of jostling between the two dugouts with a place in the final on the line.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has maintained the core of the backroom team that helped Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and he hopes that experience can see them past Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.

Who is in the Argentina dugout?

Pablo Aimar

Assistant coach

Considered one of the most talented players ever to pull on the Argentina shirt, Aimar has transitioned into a backroom role after retiring from playing in 2015.

The creative maverick assists Scaloni, as he has since 2018, helping Argentina to two Copa America triumphs as well as their first World Cup victory since 1986 in Qatar four years ago.

Argentina legends: Head coach Lionel Scaloni is flanked by assistants Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar

AFP/Getty

Walter Samuel

Assistant coach

The no-nonsense former Inter Milan and Argentina centre-back is now surprisingly famed for his personable man-management style.

Despite the hard exterior, Samuel is considered an accessible and amiable presence in Argentina’s dressing room, while also adding defensive know-how from his playing days.

He is responsible for the team’s set-pieces.

Roberto Ayala

Assistant coach

Only a handful of Argentine players have more experience with representing their country than Ayala.

The former Argentina skipper made 115 appearances for La Albiceleste between 1994-2007, playing in three World Cups and captaining the team on a record 63 occasions.

Ayala assists Scaloni with tactics, defensive set-up and in-game management, alongside Aimar and Samuel.

Experience: Scaloni has been keen to keep together the backroom team that helped win the 2022 World Cup

AFP/Getty

Martin Tocalli

Goalkeeping coach

Tocalli has been involved with the Argentina team since 2017 and has helped manage Emiliano Martinez’s rise to becoming one of the most respected goalkeepers in world football.

Luis Martin

Fitness coach

Argentina’s fitness coach is another integral cog of Scaloni’s ever-present backroom team.

Noted for his focus on data and GPS tracking, Martin famously said that he rarely tracks Lionel Messi’s physical data as the 39-year-old has an innate sense of how to manage his body to avoid excessive strain.