.png?w=1280 "Argentina Starting XI")
Argentina Starting XI and Squad Projection for the 2026 World Cup
Champions Argentina have arguably the toughest task of any side at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Only two nations in history have defended the crown - Italy in the 1930s and Brazil in the 1960s - highlighting what a mammoth challenge this year's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico poses.
It will also be Lionel Messi's swansong on the biggest stage of football. This deserves to be a celebration, as he has nothing to prove after his performances in the 2022 tournament.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni will need to be clever in using Messi this time around, as four years on from his iconic win, the 38-year-old's presence may be questioned by some.
Let's see who Scaloni is likely to call on.
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
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Emi Martinez made one of the most famous saves in football history during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
He splits fan opinion down the middle, but as extra time reached its final few seconds in Qatar, Martinez's outstretched leg halted France striker Randal Kolo Muani from sending Les Bleus into raptures.
This was the final of Messi's brace and Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick. Yet, Martinez grabbed the defining moment.
He then saved a penalty from Kingsley Coman and psyched out Aurelien Tchouameni, who shot wide, to win the shootout. For all the posturing and dance moves during the drama, the enduring image of Martinez came later, when the awards were handed out.
There are few goalkeepers who have a personality on the pitch in football right now. Martinez, in all his glory, decided to hold the Golden Gloves trophy up to look like a willy in celebration. In front of all those FIFA officials, and of course, the world.
Argentina is built on this kind of erratic leadership, fuelled by the strength of character. Martinez will be in goal at the upcoming tournament if fit. And it'll be box office.
Left Back: Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais)
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Left-back is one of the positions that could trouble Argentina.
Nicolas Tagliafico will be the man deployed if he can continue to build full fitness for Lyon after an ankle problem. He's only completed 90 minutes twice since the turn of the year, but there's plenty of time to get ready for the big event.
Valentine Barco has really improved this season and could deputise if needed, although much of his excellent Strasbourg form has come in midfield. His versatility should confirm his place in the squad and allow Scaloni to slowly bed in a player who has a bright future with the team.
Center Back: Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
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Cristian Romero would be nowhere near this squad if form were the sole factor for selection.
The Tottenham captain has two red cards in a disastrous Premier League season with Tottenham and has caused uproar with critical comments seemingly aimed at the club's hierarchy. His lack of concentration during vital moments hasn't helped Spurs one bit.
That won't matter for Scaloni.
Romero is an important voice in a squad that is transitioning to the post-Messi era. His combativeness helps fire his countrymen up and he should find better form when surrounded with the organisation of the national team, compared to the mess in North London.
Center Back: Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
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Injuries keep holding Lisandro Martinez back at Manchester United. He is an immensely important player for his club when fit and the best option to play alongside Romero if he can stay healthy.
Martinez's distribution has played a key role in United's best moments this season. His confidence on the ball continually takes the sting out of matches. Having a left-footed passer at the heart of defence is useful for any team and he's got an underrated calmness that just keeps things under control.
Nicolas Otamendi may have a thing to say about this. Now doesn't feel the right time to partner the 38-year-old with Romero, even though he should be a strong presence in the squad.
Bournemouth's Marco Senesi is also a worthy shout, although at 28, his outside shot of making the squad might pass him by.
Right Back: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
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Scaloni is unlikely to change too much in defence if he doesn't have to.
Atletico Madrid's Nahuel Molina has done enough to earn the starting spot at right-back. He's a solid option, despite rotating in and out of Diego Simeone's side this campaign.
Gonzalo Montiel, the man who loves a pressure penalty, should be locked as back-up, with Juan Foyth's injury halting his chances to make an impression.
Center Midfield: Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)
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Scaloni has experimented in recent friendlies, both with shape and personnel.
However, there doesn't seem to be much need to move away from the tried-and-tested formula that triumphed at the last tournament. That means MLS champion and Messi BFF Rodrigo De Paul should still be putting in the hard yards in midfield.
Argentina's middle three are incredibly balanced, offering quality on the ball and a level of grit that few teams can match. De Paul is important to this, even if the likes of Thiago Almada and Nico Paz could be brought in if a more attacking outlook is needed.
Center Midfield: Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
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The last World Cup was the first time many football fans took notice of Enzo Fernández. Then at Benfica, he earned his big-money move to Chelsea and has since become one of the Blues' most important players.
Fernandez is a rare breed of a midfielder. He's a manager's dream in many ways: Capable of throwing his weight around in holding midfield or incisive enough to move forwards just behind the striker.
Scaloni will likely let him do the latter, arriving into the box late while De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister hold back a little more.
Center Midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
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Much like his Liverpool team-mates, this season has been a bit of a struggle for Alexis Mac Allister.
The Reds' midfield balance has been hampered by Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch going through spells of underwhelming form, plus Dominik Szoboszlai being forced into other positions.
Positively for Scaloni, Mac Allister has started to look sharper in the last month.
He's proving a greater goal threat than he has all season, and his general play is increasing in intensity. That's good news for Argentina. If he can hit form at the right time, he's an integral cog in things running smoothly.
Right Wing: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
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Take the right-wing positioning with a pinch of salt. This may just be Messi's starting position on the pitch. He's likely to spend a lot of time through the middle at the World Cup, with other players busting a gut to move beyond him and take advantage of that era-defining distribution.
Scaloni has a squad full of players who will cover any moments when Messi slows down. This is his last World Cup; there will be times when he doesn't cover the same spaces he used to. That's okay, though.
Messi started up front in a two with Alvarez during the September win over Venezuela. Argentina lined up with him and Almada on either side of Alvarez in the draw with Colombia last year, although a lot of time has passed since then.
Scaloni has options, so we can expect Leo to be involved and the forward line to be free-flowing, allowing him to dictate as he so often does.
Left Wing: Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid)
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Again, Almada's role in this team will not be fixed.
The Atletico star is a handy component in this team, such is his ability to utilise space and keep things moving. He has a decent goalscoring record for the national side and could be key to filling in across several roles throughout the tournament.
History tells us that Scaloni is more likely to prioritise the effectiveness of his entire unit than to force in star names.
As such, Almada may have to essentially fill the job Angel Di Maria retired from. The boss is likely to go with the hard worker, rather than be tempted to use Lautaro Martinez from the start, particularly if Messi is to be included.
Center Forward: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
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Maybe it's just me, but it feels like Julian Alvarez is going to progress through his career without ever receiving the adulation he deserves. He is an unbelievable footballer. Few players have his brain and technical skill.
His recent goal against Spurs is a perfect snapshot: He made a difficult run and finish look like there was zero chance in the world he would miss. It was almost in slow motion, his control and self-confidence effortlessly sending the ball into the net.
At 26, Alvarez is one of Argentina's best players. He scored four at the last World Cup and is a man to build around, offering more of an all-round input than the likes of Lautaro.
Complete World Cup Squad Projection
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GK: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez.
DEF: Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Valentín Barco.
MID: Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Thiago Almada, Leandro Paredes, Nico Paz.
FWD: Lionel Messi, Julián Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Gonzalez.
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