Buenos Aires, May 29 (H.S.): Defending champions Argentina have announced their 26-member squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with veteran superstar Lionel Messi included in the team by head coach Lionel Scaloni.

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As part of their preparations, Argentina will play friendly matches against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9. Following these fixtures, the team will move to its base camp in Kansas City.

Argentina have been placed in Group J. The team will begin its campaign against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

Argentina Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso.

Defenders: Leandro Balerdi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández.

Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolás González, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Lautaro Martínez.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar