Argentina’s Preliminary World Cup Roster. Yes, Messi is There | OneFootball

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, Argentina have set the football world buzzing. On May 11, coach Lionel Scaloni unveiled a sweeping 55-man preliminary squad, a long list that must be cut to a final 26-man selection by the June 1 deadline. The defending champions enter the tournament in North America as heavy favourites, carrying the weight of history and the glow of an era-defining generation.

The Albiceleste are drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan, with their opening fixture coming on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. But the bigger story isn’t the opposition. It’s what’s happening within Scaloni’s camp as he navigates injuries, fierce competition for places, and the defining question hanging over the entire tournament: will Lionel Messi be fit, focused and ready for one final dance?

Goalkeepers

The goalkeeping picture is the clearest in the squad. Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez remains indisputably the world’s most psychologically intimidating shot-stopper, a player who turns penalty shootouts into performance art. Behind him, Gerónimo Rulli has enjoyed a solid season at Olympique Marseille and is set as the first backup. The third spot is a contest between Juan Musso of Atlético Madrid and Walter Benítez of Crystal Palace.

Defense

The backline carries both Argentina’s greatest strength and its most pressing concerns. Cristian Romero is racing to prove his fitness after suffering a partial MCL tear in April, while left-back Nicolás Tagliafico has been managing an ankle issue. Juan Foyth, a versatile option Scaloni long relied upon, is out entirely with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

On the right, Nahuel Molina heads into the tournament in strong form, while Gonzalo Montiel and Lisandro Martínez provide experienced cover. The full-back positions remain a structural vulnerability heading into North America.

Midfield

The midfield engine room is where Argentina’s identity lives. Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister form one of international football’s most cohesive midfield trios, a core battle-hardened through Qatar 2022 and two Copa América triumphs.

Leandro Paredes adds experience and leadership, though his fitness also bears monitoring. The emergence of Nicolás Paz and Valentín Barco as talented midfield options add another dimension to Scaloni’s toolkit.

Attack

The attack is where legends are made, and Argentina’s forward line may be the most star-studded at the entire tournament. Messi, 38, will become the first male player to appear at six World Cups. Assuming he starts against Algeria (does anything think otherwise), he’ll pip Cristiano Ronaldo to that record by one day. Messi only needs three goals to break the all-time tournament scoring record.

Lautaro Martínez has been Serie A’s top scorer this season and arrives in form. Julián Álvarez, despite a recent ankle knock, brings the kind of relentless dynamism that no other forward in world football replicates quite so completely.

Notable absentees from the preliminary list include: Paulo Dybala, Ángel Correa and Taty Castellanos. Ángel Di María, hero of the 2022 final, remains retired from international duty after the 2024 Copa América triumph.

The Verdict

Argentina arrive at this tournament not as a team chasing greatness. They’ve already found it. The challenge now is much harder: defending it.

Scaloni’s side possesses the mental fortitude, tactical intelligence and individual brilliance to go deep in North America. Once the final 26-man list is confirmed by June 1, the world will know exactly which players have been trusted to try to do what no side has managed since Brazil in 1962: repeat as World Cup champions.

For now, 55 names. By June 1, twenty-six. And come July, perhaps, history.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Complete Preliminary Roster