Argentina World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches and squad
Summary
Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, will compete in the 2026 World Cup with a mix of experienced and young players. Lionel Messi, the team’s top scorer and captain, aims to play his final World Cup at age 39, but the team faces challenges with some aging players and tough competition.Key Facts
- Argentina has appeared in 18 World Cups and won three times (1978, 1986, 2022).
- Lionel Messi is the team’s top scorer with 13 goals and has made the most appearances (26) for Argentina in World Cups.
- Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, defeating France in the final.
- Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, will be 39 during the 2026 tournament and plans to retire from international soccer afterward.
- Argentina’s squad includes 17 players from the 2022 winning team, providing experience.
- Key players besides Messi include forwards Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, and Rodrigo De Paul, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
- The team has strong central defenders but fewer top-level full-backs (side defenders).
- New young players like Nico Paz and Valentin Barco have been called up, although some young talents were unexpectedly left out.
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