The Argentina World Cup 2026 squad is a little closer to being decided.
Lionel Messi and co. continue preparations to defend their crown at World Cup 2026 with a set of friendlies in October.
The current world champions finished top of the CONEMBOL qualification group and will head to Mexico, Canada and the USA as one of the favourites for football's most coveted prize.
La Albiceleste will face Angola in Africa this month, in just the one friendly.
Emiliano Martinez is the standout name not to be involved, along with Roma star Paulo Dybala and Real Madrid youngster Franco Mastantuono, who both miss out on the squad.
Three Atletico Madrid players – Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez and Nahuel Molina – have all withdrawn from the selection this month, while Enzo Fernandez withdrew after picking up an injury.
Argentina will likely debut their new home shirt this month.
Squad
Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: The November selection
- GK: Geronimo Rulli (Marseille)
- GK: Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace)
- DF: Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica)
- DF: Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
- DF: Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
- DF: Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
- DF: Valentin Barco (Strasbourg)
- DF: Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)
- DF: Kevin Mac Allister (Union SG)
- MF: Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)
- MF: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)
- MF: Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
- MF: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- MF: Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid)
- MF: Nico Paz (Como)
- MF: Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa)
- MF: Maximo Perrone (Como)
- FW: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- FW: Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale)
- FW: Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid)
- FW: Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras)
- FW: Joaquin Panichelli (Strasbourg)
- FW: Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica)
Fixtures and results
November 14: Angola vs Argentina, Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola
October 14: Puerto Rico 0-6 Argentina, Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States
October 10: Argentina 1-0 Venezuela, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States
September 10: Ecuador 1-0 Argentina, Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, Guayaquil, Ecuador
September 4: Argentina 3-0 Venezuela, Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
June 11: Argentina 1-1 Colombia, Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
June 6: Chile 0-1 Argentina, Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Pradanos, Santiago, Chile
March 26: Argentina 4-1 Brazil, Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
March 21: Uruguay 0-1 Argentina, Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
Manager
Who is Argentina's manager?
Lionel Scaloni has led Argentina in an incredibly successful period for the nation.
He has won three major trophies in a row, Copa America, World Cup and another Copa America, ending their droughts in both competitions.
His team selections have been aided by some outstanding performances at club level, and well, having Lionel Messi at his disposal.
Argentina's Star Player
Who is Argentina's star player?
Not much is left to be said about Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner reached the summit of football when he lifted the 2022 World Cup, firmly cementing his status as one of the greats.
He cast doubt on his participation at the 2026 World Cup in September, saying, "I said before about the World Cup that I don't think I'll play another. Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won't make it." Scaloni insists there has not yet been a decision from the 38-year-old, who will probably wait until the new year before addressing his exact intentions.
Messi ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest players of all time, and has been a huge part of Argentina winning the Copa America back-to-back, with the World Cup sandwiched in between.
