Argentina has announced a refreshed 31-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador, with captain Lionel Messi once again leading the team.
Coach Lionel Scaloni introduced several young faces, including Manchester City forward Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and Real Madrid’s recent signing Franco Mastantuono. Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez also received his first senior call-up.
Argentina, who have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, currently sit at the top of the standings with 35 points, ten ahead of Ecuador and Brazil. They will face Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium on September 4 before traveling to Guayaquil to play Ecuador on September 9.
Squad list:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez, Geronimo Rulli
Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Julio Soler, Facundo Medina
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentin Carboni
Forwards: Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone, Angel Correa, Julián Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez
