Messi to Lead Argentina Squad in Brazil, Uruguay 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

On Monday, Argentina's Head Coach Lionel Scaloni announced a preliminary squad of 33 players in preparation for the highly anticipated matches against Uruguay and Brazil in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. 

The squad is led by Argentine star Lionel Messi.

The "Albiceleste" will face Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on March 21, before hosting Brazil in a thrilling clash at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on March 25.

Messi is set for a reunion with his former Barcelona teammate Neymar, who has returned to Brazil’s squad after an impressive short stint with Santos.

Argentina currently lead the South American qualifiers table with 25 points after 12 rounds, while Uruguay sits in second place with 20 points.

Argentina Squad List:

Goalkeepers:

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)

Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille)

Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven)

Defenders:

Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid)

Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)

Cristian Romero (Tottenham)

Germán Pezzella (River Plate)

Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille)

Juan Foyth (Villarreal)

Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)

Facundo Medina (Lens)

Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon)

Francisco Ortega (Olympiacos)

Midfielders:

Leandro Paredes (Roma)

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid)

Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)

Máximo Perrone (Como)

Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid)

Benjamín Domínguez (Bologna)

Thiago Almada (Olympique Lyon)

Forwards:

Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)

Nicolás González (Juventus)

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Nicolás Paz (Como)

Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City)

Paulo Dybala (Roma)

Julián Álvarez (Manchester City)

Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)

Santiago Castro (Bologna)

Ángel Correa (Atlético Madrid)