Emiliano Martínez will lead the Argentine goal on the road to the 2026 World Cup

Lionel Scaloni is assembling the squad that will defend the world crown in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, maintaining the winning structure from Qatar and adding new talents shining in Europe’s top leagues. The Argentine national team will debut on June 16 against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, with a solid core of twenty players whose spots are already secured in the project.

Twenty players form the backbone of the team

Of the twenty-six players called up that the head coach is considering, twenty names stand out for their current performance and proven track record. The coaching staff’s philosophy is clear: “to be in, you have to play and perform.” This maxim determines who retains their place in the upcoming international tournament. The confirmed roster is distributed across all lines of the team: two goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and four forwards, ensuring a balanced structure.

Emiliano Martínez: the guardian of the national goal

Emiliano Martínez leads the goalkeeping unit from his position at Aston Villa, a club currently third in the Premier League with one of the most secure defenses in the competition. The goalkeeper regained prominence after a failed attempt to transfer to Manchester United, reaffirming his status as the key goalkeeper in the Argentine defense. His performance with the English team keeps him in top condition for the final stretch of the qualifying process.

Gerónimo Rulli forms the goalkeeper duo, serving as the starter at Olympique de Marseille after arriving from Ajax. The French goalkeeper has played twenty-five matches this season, solidifying his role. Walter Benítez appears as the third option, though his opportunities at Crystal Palace have been limited in secondary competitions.

The defense: pillars supporting the project

The Argentine backline is built on experienced defenders and promising young players. Cristian Romero is having an exceptional moment at Tottenham, where he captains the Spurs and has scored important goals against Burnley, West Ham, and Dortmund, demonstrating his offensive versatility from the defensive line.

Nicolás Otamendi consolidates as a reference at Benfica under José Mourinho, having lost just four matches in the past year and a half. His experience complements the project. Lisandro Martínez returned to activity in November at Manchester United and regained the club captaincy, strengthening his comeback after injuries.

On the flanks, Nahuel Molina remains a fixed piece on Atlético Madrid’s right side, competing for prominence with Marcos Llorente. Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the decisive penalty in the Qatar final, returned to River Plate after stints at Sevilla and Nottingham Forest, fully reintegrating into the project. Nicolás Tagliafico commands the left flank from Lyon, despite recent injuries suffered against Monaco and Brest that affected his continuity. Juan Foyth was ruled out after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture in Villarreal’s match against Real Madrid.

The midfield: renewed experience

Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister arrive in top physical condition. De Paul plays in MLS with Inter Miami, with two goals and seven assists in twenty-three matches. Enzo Fernández is a starter at Chelsea with nine goals this season. Mac Allister alternates roles at Liverpool, scoring against major rivals like Qarabag and Real Madrid.

Leandro Paredes brings experience from his return to Boca Juniors, with twenty-one matches and a penalty goal against Newell’s. Giovanni Lo Celso is included despite physical issues at Betis. Giuliano Simeone and Nicolás Paz represent the new options confirmed by the strategist. The son of Cholo established himself at Atlético Madrid, scoring a key goal against Brazil in the 4-1 victory, while Paz shines at Como with nine goals and six assists in twenty-four matches, establishing himself as a promising talent in Argentine football.

Forwards: offensive presence

Lionel Messi leads the attack and seeks his sixth World Cup participation. The Argentine captain has scored thirty goals this season with Inter Miami, delivering multiple standout performances. He will arrive at the Finalissima against Spain with the MLS schedule shaping his preparation for the tournament.

Thiago Almada has established himself as Ángel Di María’s successor after outstanding performances against Uruguay and Brazil, proving to be a relevant offensive option. The winger started the campaign as a starter at Atlético Madrid. Julián Álvarez has scored eleven goals in thirty matches with Atlético Madrid, remaining a key piece of the attack. Lautaro Martínez is the captain of Inter Milan and leads Serie A’s top scorers with twelve goals. The forward has a total of 170 goals for the Italian club, matching the historic mark of Alessandro Altobelli, and has twenty-one goals this season with six assists across all competitions.

The road to the United States

Scaloni has three matches before the tournament begins to finalize the final roster details. The confirmed structure of twenty players provides a solid foundation that has demonstrated its winning capacity, while the head coach will keep the door open for new additions that prove they are at the required level. Emiliano Martínez and his teammates are preparing to defend their title in the upcoming World Cup, keeping alive the Argentine national team’s hope of writing a new glorious chapter.