Lionel Messi is officially heading to the 2026 World Cup as Argentina unveiled its final 26-man squad for the title defence. Coach Lionel Scaloni kept the spine of the Qatar 2022 champions, with 17 returning stars including Julián Álvarez and Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez.
Big talking point? Franco Mastantuono misses out, while Marcos Acuña was also dropped. Fresh young faces like Nicolás Paz, Giuliano Simeone and Valentín Barco made the cut as Argentina balances experience with youth. Messi, now at Inter Miami CF, will once again lead the Albiceleste’s hunt for back-to-back World Cup glory.
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