Argentina Announces Final Squad for 2026 World Cup with Notable Absences

The announcement of Argentina's final squad for the 2026 World Cup has generated significant controversy due to the absence of several prominent players who performed well in the previous season.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni selected a blend of experienced players and those with tactical cohesion, opting to maintain the core group that recently brought success to the "Tango" team, even if this meant excluding players with considerable technical ability.

Among the most notable omissions is the veteran fullback Marcos Acuña from River Plate, alongside Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, a decision that raised numerous questions regarding the defensive lineup choices.

In midfield, standout names such as Emiliano Buendía of Aston Villa and Máximo Perrone of Como were left out, as was the young talent Franco Mastantuono, who is affiliated with Real Madrid.

Offensively, the squad does not include Roma winger Matías Soulé or promising forward Gianluca Prestiani of Benfica, despite their recent impressive performances.

Despite these absences, Argentina enters the tournament with nearly full strength, led by the legendary Lionel Messi and supported by key players including Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández.

The reigning champions aim to continue their global dominance and reaffirm their superiority, although the exclusion of these players will remain under scrutiny throughout the World Cup, especially if the team encounters difficulties in the critical stages.

Argentina is placed in Group 10 for the initial round of the tournament, alongside the national teams of Algeria, Jordan, and Austria.

Argentina's Squad Composition

The final roster for Argentina includes:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli.

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

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

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