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

Argentina are among the favourites to win World Cup 2026, as the defending champions aim to retain their crown in North America. They have certainly made a powerful statement in their first two games, with Lionel Messi scoring all their goals in wins over Algeria and Austria.

Messi – still going strong at 38 – has now surpassed Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. Messi added his 17th and 18th in the 2-0 win over Austria. The Albiceleste have looked every bit the favourites they’re billed as, with Lionel Scaloni’s 4-4-2 purring.

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

Argentina should finish the group with maximum points with a game against outsiders Jordan next. They’ve already clinched first place, so they could rotate here, but Messi is likely to still be heavily involved.

Argentina World Cup 2026 squad and lineup: key takeaways

• Messi has made history, but Mbappé is still chasing him: The magician’s treble against Algeria moved him level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. Then, days later, two more goals moved him into the lead. Kylian Mbappé also equalled the German that same evening, so Messi will still be motivated to keep playing and scoring.

• Right-back is the forced change: Gonzalo Montiel was forced off at half-time against Algeria with a muscle injury, Nahuel Molina filled in for the Austria game. Both are fine options to move forward with.

• Julián Álvarez is pushing for a start: Lautaro Martínez started the first two games, but Álvarez could be unleashed in the knockout stages having linked up well with Messi in the past.

• The midfield picks itself: Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister are established as Scaloni’s trusted trio in the middle of the park, providing the energy and control to facilitate Messi.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina legacy

Argentina hired Lionel Scaloni as their interim manager after 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 will turn 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 in both games so far.

For all the talent available to Scaloni, Messi remains the talisman – and that is unlikely to change given that he has scored all of their goals 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 Austria

Nahuel Molina replaced the injured Gonzalo Montiel at right back in the only change Scaloni made. We can probably expect some rotation for this final group game against Jordan where Argentina have nothing to play for – besides match sharpness.

I would anticipate Scaloni reuniting Messi with Álvarez soon. The pair started together throughout Argentina’s winning run in 2022. The first-choice midfield and back line look as though they’re locked in, except at right back.

How to bet on the Argentina starting 11

Lionel Messi is the obvious favourite in the anytime goalscorer market. Julián Álvarez is an intriguing option if he starts Argentina’s next game(s). His movement and pressing make him a constant threat, and he offers value in the anytime goalscorer market 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, the odds of winning World Cup are never small. After two one-sided games in groups they have shown that they are strongly in the mix for the WC title.

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?

Cristian Romero was a fitness concern prior to Argentina’s first game, but he started in central defence.

Gonzalo Montiel has been ruled out of the next game with a hamstring injury. Marcos Senesi was called up in place of Leonardo Balerdi, with the latter suffering a late calf injury.

4. What’s Argentina’s group stage schedule?

Argentina are in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. They opened with a 3-0 win over Algeria, face Austria on Monday 22 June, and then Jordan in their final group game.

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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