The Defending Champions Begin Their Title Defense
ARGENTINA
The world champions arrive in North America chasing back-to-back titles.
Head Coach
Lionel Scaloni has turned Argentina into a winning machine, capturing Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, the Finalissima in 2022 and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
World Cup Group
June 16: Argentina vs Algeria — Kansas City Stadium
June 22: Argentina vs Austria — Dallas Stadium
June 27: Jordan vs Argentina — Dallas Stadium
World Cup History
Argentina will play in its 19th FIFA World Cup. The Albiceleste are three-time world champions, winning in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Defending The Crown
Argentina arrives at World Cup 2026 as the reigning world champion. After the unforgettable triumph in Qatar, Lionel Scaloni’s team now has the chance to do something no nation has achieved since Brazil in 1962: win back-to-back World Cups.
With Lionel Messi still the emotional symbol of the team and a new generation already established, Argentina enters the tournament with elite talent, confidence and a winning identity.
Argentina World Cup Facts
- Confederation: CONMEBOL
- World Cup Appearances: 19
- Best Result: Champions (1978, 1986, 2022)
- Last Appearance: Qatar 2022 champions
- All-Time Top World Cup Scorer: Lionel Messi, 13 goals
- Most World Cup Appearances: Lionel Messi, 26
Players To Watch
Lionel Messi
The captain, icon and greatest player in Argentina’s World Cup history.
Julián Álvarez
A relentless forward whose movement, pressing and finishing changed Argentina’s 2022 campaign.
Emiliano Martínez
The goalkeeper who became a national hero with decisive saves in Qatar.
Argentina’s Greatest World Cup Moment
Argentina has produced countless iconic World Cup moments: Mario Kempes leading the 1978 triumph, Diego Maradona’s legendary 1986 campaign and Lionel Messi finally lifting the trophy in Qatar 2022.
The 2022 final against France became one of the greatest matches in football history, ending with Argentina’s third star and Messi’s ultimate World Cup dream fulfilled.
ARGENTINA
Portieri
- #23 Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa FC, Inghilterra) – 195 cm
- #1 Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid, Spagna) – 193 cm
- #12 Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille, Francia) – 189 cm
Difensori
- #2 Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille, Francia) – 188 cm
- #3 Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais, Francia) – 172 cm
- #4 Gonzalo Montiel (CA River Plate, Argentina) – 175 cm
- #5 Leandro Paredes (CA Boca Juniors, Argentina) – 182 cm
- #6 Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United FC, Inghilterra) – 175 cm
- #13 Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur FC, Inghilterra) – 185 cm
- #19 Nicolás Otamendi (SL Benfica, Portogallo) – 182 cm
- #25 Facundo Medina (Olympique Marseille, Francia) – 184 cm
- #26 Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid, Spagna) – 179 cm
Centrocampisti
- #7 Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF, USA) – 178 cm
- #8 Valentín Barco (RC Strasbourg, Francia) – 172 cm
- #11 Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis, Spagna) – 177 cm
- #14 Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, Germania) – 177 cm
- #17 Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid, Spagna) – 174 cm
- #20 Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool FC, Inghilterra) – 176 cm
- #24 Enzo Fernández (Chelsea FC, Inghilterra) – 178 cm
Attaccanti
- #9 Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid, Spagna) – 170 cm
- #10 Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF, USA) – 170 cm
- #15 Nico González (Atlético de Madrid, Spagna) – 180 cm
- #16 Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid, Spagna) – 171 cm
- #18 Nico Paz (Como 1907, Italia) – 185 cm
- #21 José Manuel López (SE Palmeiras, Brasile) – 190 cm
- #22 Lautaro Martínez (FC Internazionale Milano, Italia) – 175 cm
Commissario Tecnico
- Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
