Overview
- Coach Lionel Scaloni announced the final 26‑player roster on Thursday, formally naming Lionel Messi to Argentina’s World Cup squad.
- Messi will make a record sixth World Cup appearance and is set to become the first Argentine to captain the side at four separate tournaments.
- The selection preserves continuity by retaining 17 members of the 2022 title team, including Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez.
- Scaloni added several younger players such as Valentín Barco, Nicolás Paz, Giuliano Simeone and José Manuel López to begin a generational transition.
- Argentina move into final preparations with friendlies scheduled ahead of a mid‑June Group J opener in Kansas City against Algeria, and team staff will closely monitor fitness and possible late changes.