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Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Squad Announced

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Lionel Scaloni has named his final 26-man Argentina squad for the 2026 summer World Cup, and Lionel Messi will be on the teamsheet once again.

The South American giants will look to defend the crown they won back in December 2022 in Qatar as they defeated France on penalties, following a 3-3 draw in one of the best games in football history, as legendary forward Messi finally got his hands on the only trophy that eluded him, and cemented himself as the greatest of all time.

But now the three-time winners will look to go one further and retain their trophy, with the manager naming a strong squad that is set to travel to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for this summer’s tournament.

The holders will take on Algeria (June 16), Austria (June 22), and Jordan (June 27) in the group stages of the competition, while they will also face off against Honduras and Iceland in pre-tournament friendlies in preparation.

Scaloni’s side are among the favorites to go all the way this summer, and it’s easy to see why when you look at their confirmed squad.

Goalkeepers

emiliano martinez

As expected, the number one choice for Scaloni between the sticks will continue to be Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez, fresh off winning the Europa League and securing Champions League football for next season with the Villans.

Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli is Argentina’s back-up ‘keeper for the tournament, while Atletico Madrid’s Juan Musso is also in the squad, but ‘Dibu’ will continue to be the South American nation’s first-choice.

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Squad – Goalkeepers

Player

Club

Age

International Caps

International Goals

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

33

59

0

Geronimo Rulli

Marseille

34

7

0

Juan Musso

Atletico Madrid

32

3

0

Defenders

Tottenham Hotspur Cristian Romero warms up

The experience in the Argentina squad is noticeable, with Nicolas Otamendi once again named as part of the squad defending their World Cup crown.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is named in the squad, despite not featuring since April due to a knee injury he picked up in the defeat to Sunderland. Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez is also included, while Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Facundo Medina and Nahuel Molina also make the cut.

There’s no space for Juan Foyth in the squad, however, despite his involvement back in 2022, following a strong campaign for Villarreal where they qualified for the Champions League. Bournemouth’s Marco Senesi also misses out.

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Squad – Defenders

Player

Club

Age

International Caps

International Goals

Nicolas Otamendi

Benfica

38

130

8

Nicolas Tagliafico

Lyon

33

75

1

Nahuel Molina

Atletico Madrid

28

58

1

Cristian Romero

Tottenham Hotspur

28

49

3

Gonzalo Montiel

River Plate

29

38

2

Lisandro Martinez

Manchester United

28

26

1

Leonardo Balerdi

Marseille

27

11

0

Facundo Medina

Marseille

27

7

0

Midfielders

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea maestro Enzo Fernandez have both been included in the Argentina squad for the World Cup, and they will undoubtedly lead the midfield for the team once again.

Leandro Paredes, now playing in his home country with Boca Juniors, is also in the squad. Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios make up the rest of the experienced midfield options for Scaloni.

Just ahead of them in more advanced areas, the holders have opted for more youth. Nico Paz, fresh off the back of a sensational campaign with Como in Serie A, has been selected for his first tournament (albeit listed as a forward), while Chelsea-bound talent Valentin Barco has been named in the squad for his first World Cup after a fine season with Strasbourg.

Argentina 2026 World Cup Squad – Midfielders

Player

Club

Age

International Caps

International Goals

Rodrigo De Paul

Inter Miami

31

85

2

Leandro Paredes

Boca Juniors

31

77

5

Giovani Lo Celso

Real Betis

30

65

4

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool

27

44

6

Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea

25

40

6

Exequiel Palacios

Bayer Leverkusen

27

38

0

Valentin Barco

Strasbourg

21

2

1

Forwards

Lionel Messi

As usual, Argentina’s first name on the team sheet is captain and legend Lionel Messi, who will lead the attack in what is almost certainly his sixth and final World Cup.

He’ll be joined by Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez once again, who has enjoyed an incredible rise since the 2022 tournament, while Inter Milan frontman Lautaro Martinez is also in the squad, having led the team to yet another Serie A Scudetto title. Giuliano Simeone will also be part of the squad as a wide option, as is Atletico’s Thiago Almada.

Real Madrid sensation Franco Mastantuono will not be travelling to the USA, Canada, and Mexico for his first World Cup tournament, while there is no space for Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho, despite the fact he was named in the preliminary squad. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, capped just twice by his country, also misses out.

Argentina 2026 World Cup Squad – Forwards

Player

Club

Age

International Caps

International Goals

Lionel Messi

Inter Miami

38

198

116

Lautaro Martinez

Inter Milan

28

75

36

Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid

26

51

14

Nicolas Gonzalez

Atletico Madrid

28

50

6

Thiago Almada

Atletico Madrid

25

14

4

Giuliano Simeone

Atletico Madrid

23

11

1

Nico Paz

Como

21

8

1

Jose Manuel Lopez

Palmeiras

25

3

0


World Cup trophy, Harry Kane England, Kylian Mbappe France


World Cup 2026 Squads: USMNT, England, Brazil & Every Confirmed Roster

Complete List of Every Confirmed 26-man World Cup 2026 squad, including Spain, Germany, Scotland, Portugal, Belgium and more

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Arsenal Set For Transfer Windfall Thanks To Rivals Chelsea

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Arsenal could be in line for a decent transfer windfall this summer, as CaughtOffside claims that a former player may join their rivals Chelsea in the coming weeks.

The Gunners are set for an important market, with Mikel Arteta keen to add even more quality to his squad after winning the Premier League last season.

A move for Bruno Guimaraes has been at the forefront of their business so far, with an offer made for the Newcastle ace, with a belief that any move could prove costly.

As a result, some sales may need to help raise some funds, with Christian Norgaard among those who have been linked with an exit this summer.

However, London rivals Chelsea may help provide a windfall for the club through a sell-on clause for a former player.

Chelsea Eye Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun in action for the United States at the 2026 World Cup IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

After a few impressive World Cup outings this summer, Chelsea are eyeing a transfer for Folarin Balogun this summer, according to Caught Offside.

The former Arsenal striker is believed to be a target for the Blues, with AS Monaco demanding roughly £47.4 million to sanction a possible exit.

Chelsea seemingly view the 24-year-old as an ideal option, while Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap are linked with an exit, handing Xabi Alonso another striker option.

However, it would hand Arsenal a transfer windfall as a result, due to the club having a sell-on clause inserted into the deal for the former Gunners academy product.

It’s a clause worth 17.5 percent of the overall fee, which could see the Premier League champions land a sizable sum to go towards their other transfer deals.

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Arsenal’s Transfer Plans

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal’s summer transfer window is set to be an important one, as the team looks to keep progressing and continue winning all the biggest prizes.

Deals for some of the biggest names in the Premier League are on the cards, but it is likely to come at quite an expense for the Gunners.

Bruno Guimaraes is a major target, with the midfielder likely to cost upwards of £70 million, while Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is another who is being quoted at more than £100 million.


Mikel Arteta


Arsenal Walk Away From Deal to Sign ‘World-Class’ Midfielder After Huge Reveal

Arsenal have seemingly walked away from a deal for one of their transfer targets, and will move on to other options this summer.

It all lines up towards an expensive window that will need to be financed by more than their impressive performances on the pitch over the course of the last season.

Arsenal’s inability to sell for large transfer fees has been an issue that needs to be addressed. While Balogun’s sale could indirectly help, the Gunners need to find a way to maximise the fees they receive in the transfer market.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Blames Netherlands’ Shock World Cup Exit on Ronald Koeman

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has pinned the blame on one man after the Netherlands crashed out of the 2026 World Cup on Monday night.

Morocco secured their place in the last 16 thanks to a penalty shootout victory over the Oranje at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico.

Cody Gakpo had put Netherlands 1-0 up in the 72nd minute, days after the Liverpool star’s girlfriend tragically announced their unborn son had passed away during pregnancy, but the European nation were denied victory when Issa Diop equalised in stoppage-time.

No further goals were scored in extra-time, meaning the Round of 32 tie was settled on penalties.

Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville all failed to convert from the spot before Ismael Saibari fired Morocco through to the next round, where they will meet joint-hosts Canada at the Houston Stadium on Saturday.


Germany players at World Cup


Germany (3) 1-1 (4) Paraguay: 2026 World Cup Player Ratings and Match Highlights

The Germans are out in disappointing fashion.

Zlatan Pins Blame on Koeman

Ronald Koeman REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Shortly after the final whistle, former Sweden striker Ibrahimovic didn’t hold back with his honest thoughts live on FOX Sports.

The ex-PSG, Barcelona and Manchester United star was quoted by ESPN as saying:

“I think this loss is on Koeman because I didn’t recognise this Dutch team. He lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity and that makes me angry. Lose with your identity… that’s who you are.”

Koeman, who earned 78 caps for the Dutch national team between 1983-1994, has been in charge of the Oranje since 2023. However, his position as head coach is now under severe threat following Monday’s lacklustre performance against Morocco.

World Cup History Quiz

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Koeman Defends Defensive Tactics

Ronald Koeman Pro Shots/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The Netherlands, who perfected the revolutionary philosophy of Total Football in the 1970s, are accused of using ultra defensive tactics in their Round of 32 clash.

However, Koeman defended his tactical approach following the penalty shootout defeat. The 63-year-old told NOS, per Tribuna: “The atmosphere in the locker room was dramatic. When you see things like the penalty [from Soufiane Rahimi] that went under [Bart] Verbruggen, it’s because it wasn’t meant to be for us.

“I decided to play this way because we gave too much space in the group stage. We needed to mark better, you know! Morocco is an excellent team, with star players. So, I decided this after a meeting with the group. I don’t regret it one bit.

“I was trying to change the team according to the thinking about who could take the penalties. I lost [Frenkie] De Jong, I lost Gakpo… so I was trying to put in capable people. It didn’t work out, what can you do?”

De Jong was replaced by Marten de Roon in the 110th minute, while Kluivert came on for Gakpo minutes later.

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Arsenal Told To Pay £130m For Morgan Rogers

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Arsenal have been told they will need to pay an eye-watering amount to land one of their key transfer targets this summer, according to a report from The Telegraph.

The Gunners are keen to strengthen across most positions in the squad, with hopes that they will be able to retain the Premier League table, and perhaps win even more than that.

The forward areas have been a particular place of focus, with the North London outfit struggling to crack open games on several different occasions, with their dominance not always reflective of the scoreline or result.

Several options have appeared as players who could make the difference, with Morgan Rogers emerging as one of the main targets to add a spark up front.

However, a deal won’t come cheap for the Aston Villa talisman.

Arsenal Told Morgan Rogers Price

Morgan Rogers

Arsenal are chasing a move for Rogers this summer, but it will come at quite a cost. According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa have quoted an English-record fee of £130 million to land the playmaker.

It’s a move that would smash the record set by Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool, which cost the Reds £125 million last summer.

It would also eclipse the current window’s largest fee, which is Elliot Anderson’s move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City, which has cost a staggering £116 million.

The report claims that Villa view Rogers as being worth more than his England teammate, though they are reluctant to allow a sale to go through.

Another sticking point for the Midlands club is a 20 percent sell-on clause that Middlesbrough have in the deal, which will eat into the overall profit they can make from the star – who they paid £15 million for back in 2024.

Arsenal‘s stance on such a fee is unclear, while rivals Chelsea are also keen on a move for Rogers, who has been described as a “superstar”.

It would be quite a stunning transfer, however, that would set a new bar for transfer fees across the whole division.

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Arsenal’s Record Transfer Signings

Declan Rice in action for England Matthew Childs via Reuters

If Arsenal were to cough up the £130 million, it would also set a record for the most-expensive signing in the club’s history so far, overshadowing their other deals in the market.

The top ten are largely made up of more recent signings, but only Declan Rice’s deal has seen the Gunners cross over the £100 million threshold.


Mikel Arteta


Arsenal Walk Away From Deal to Sign ‘World-Class’ Midfielder After Huge Reveal

Arsenal have seemingly walked away from a deal for one of their transfer targets, and will move on to other options this summer.

  1. Declan Rice – £105m
  2. Nicolas Pepe – £72m
  3. Eberechi Eze – £67.5m
  4. Kai Havertz – £65m
  5. Viktor Gyokeres – £64.2m
  6. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £56m
  7. Martin Zubimendi – £55.8m
  8. Gabriel Jesus – £55m
  9. Noni Madueke – £52m
  10. Ben White – £50m

Having outlaid plenty in recent years for new signings, smashing the transfer record for Rogers would take them another step in the direction of spending.

It may add some immediate pressure on the England international, but it’s unclear whether Arsenal will be able to get a deal over the line in the near future.

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