Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Predicted lineup and tactics for England

Argentina are among the favourites to win World Cup 2026, as the defending champions aim to retain their crown in North America.

They have swept through the group stage, survived two separate dramatic fightbacks in the knockout rounds and a nervy extra-time win over Switzerland, and are now in the semi-finals with Lionel Messi having rewritten the record books at almost every turn.

Messi – having just turned 39 – has now scored 21 World Cup goals across his career, extending his own all-time record with every appearance. He has eight goals in this tournament, level with Kylian Mbappé and one clear of Erling Haaland at the top of the Golden Boot standings.

He also became the first player in history to score in six successive World Cup knockout matches against Egypt. He even became the first player to miss two penalties in the same tournament – yet somehow that barely registers as a footnote given what he produced.

The core of the 2022 World Cup-winning group remains intact, with 17 of that squad having been called up again. The only notable absentee is Ángel Di María, who has retired from international football.

Argentina clinched first place in Group K before surviving a thrilling Cape Verde scare in the Round of 32. What followed in the Round of 16 against Egypt was even more extraordinary – trailing 2-0 with 11 minutes to play, Argentina produced one of the great tournament comebacks to win 3-2.

The Switzerland quarter-final needed extra time too: Dan Ndoye’s second-half equaliser cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s early header before Julián Álvarez’s stunning 22-yard strike and a late Lautaro Martínez goal settled it. England now stand between Argentina and a second successive final.

Argentina World Cup 2026 squad and lineup: key takeaways

• Messi has already rewritten the record books this tournament: 21 career World Cup goals, eight this campaign, and a run of six straight knockout-match goals against Egypt that no player in history has matched. He’s one game from doing it all again in a final.

• Julián Álvarez has nailed down his starting spot: His extra-time wonder-strike against Switzerland was the goal of the tournament so far and ends any debate over his place alongside Messi.

• Nicolás Tagliafico has kept his place at left-back: Facundo Medina remains a substitute rather than a starter, with Tagliafico continuing there against England.

• The midfield picks itself (with one tweak): Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister remain Scaloni’s trusted trio, with Leandro Paredes deployed in a slightly deeper role.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina legacy

Argentina hired Lionel Scaloni as their interim manager after the World Cup 2018, a tournament which ended in failure for the Albiceleste.

He was supposed to be in charge for just a few months until Argentina found someone else, but Scaloni ended up landing the job on a full-time basis – despite doubts from some prominent figures in Argentinian football, not least the late Diego Maradona.

Scaloni has worked wonders since then. World Cup 2022 was his crowning glory, but the former West Ham United defender has also led Argentina to two Copa America titles. It is hard to quibble with his record.

Prediction for Head Coach

There is a sense that this will be Scaloni’s final tournament with Argentina, regardless of what happens in North America. He will be determined to go out with a bang by becoming only the second manager in history to win two World Cups.

The star player: Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi turned 39 during the World Cup, and while he may not have the electric acceleration he once had, he is showing no signs of slowing down in a numbers sense. He has been lethal in the final third and has just been a class above so far.

For all the talent available to Scaloni, Messi remains the talisman – and that is unlikely to change given that he has scored an incredible eight goals in five games so far.

Prediction for Star Player

Lionel Messi is the leading contender to win the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, the awards given to the tournament’s best player and its top scorer, respectively. Even if Messi ultimately falls short in pursuit of both those honours, he remains the man to whom Argentina will look for inspiration.

Argentina 2026 World Cup confirmed 26-man squad

How Argentina lined up against Switzerland

Scaloni made no changes from the Egypt lineup for Switzerland, and it remains the closest guide to what he’ll field against England. Julián Álvarez kept his place ahead of Lautaro Martínez, and Nicolás Tagliafico continued at left-back with Facundo Medina among the substitutes.

Lionel Messi took a knock to the eye from Granit Xhaka in the second half against Switzerland, needed brief treatment, but played the full 120 minutes and has since been passed fit for England.

How to bet on the Argentina starting 11

Messi is the obvious pick in the anytime goalscorer market and has scored in every game bar the Switzerland tie. Against an England defence still finding its feet without the suspended Jarell Quansah, there should be space again.

Julián Álvarez is a serious secondary option rather than just a value play now – his extra-time wonder-strike against Switzerland showed he can produce the decisive moment himself, and he still offers value if priced longer than Messi.

For cards, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández are the most likely Argentina players to pick up bookings, given their combative midfield roles and Scaloni’s high-intensity pressing system. Backing these individual player props is an excellent way to deploy any tournament betting offers you have sitting in your account.

Is there a chance of Argentina winning?

As defending champions, and with Messi rewriting the record books at every turn, Argentina have never really looked like outsiders – and the odds of winning the World Cup now sit at 4/1, third favourites behind Spain and England.

They’ve earned that position the hard way: clawing back a two-goal deficit against Egypt with 11 minutes to go, grinding out extra time against a resolute Switzerland, with Messi scoring in every game bar one.

France’s exit – a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain – has removed one of the other pre-tournament favourites, leaving Argentina needing to get past England before any Spain rematch of the final becomes possible.

FAQ about the 2026 Argentina World Cup squad

1. How many times have Argentina won the World Cup?

Argentina have won the World Cup three times in their history, which means only Brazil, Italy, and Germany have been more successful on the biggest stage of all. Their maiden triumph came on home soil in 1978, before Diego Maradona inspired them to victory in 1986.

Argentina’s most recent success came in 2022, as Lionel Messi drove them to the title in Qatar.

2. Which players are injured and missing from the starting 11?

Facundo Medina remains a substitute option rather than a starter, having been overtaken by Nicolás Tagliafico at left-back. Gonzalo Montiel is available again but hasn’t dislodged Nahuel Molina at right-back.

Cristian Romero was withdrawn at half-time of extra time against Switzerland through fatigue rather than injury and has been passed fit. Lionel Messi took a knock to the eye against Switzerland but has also been cleared to start.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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