Argentina World Cup 2022 squad: Final list of 26 players for the national team in Qatar
Lionel Messi will be a man on a mission at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and his Argentina national team is on board for it and definitely in the form!
The 35-year-old icon is seeking the crowning achievement of his legendary career by winning the most prestigious trophy in sports which eluded him in his previous four attempts. He has confirmed that this will be his last World Cup.
Brazil and France are the two favorites with bookies and fans heading into the tournament, but Argentina lifting the World Cup in December is the most likely outcome marshaled by manager Lionel Scaloni: a 35-match unbeaten streak. Just three short of the world record.
Scaloni has masterfully molded the team since taking over in 2018, and his work culminated in the 2021 Copa America triumph on Brazilian soil, Messi winning his first trophy with the senior national team and finally freeing himself from the criticism that has dogged him throughout his journey. For your country.
Now, after throttling Euro champions Italy in the summer, Argentina’s bandwagon is only on the rise, especially with a potentially favorable draw in Qatar and what looks to be a route to the final.
More:
Argentina vs Mexico Final Scores, Highlights, 2022 World Cup Group C Match Results
Argentina World Cup 2022 squad
Scaloni announced his final 26-man squad on Friday November 11, three days ahead of the deadline set by FIFA.
Manager Scaloni had until Friday, October 21 to submit an official preliminary list of 35-55 players to FIFA, from which he had until Monday November 14 to name his final 26-man roster for Qatar.
Here is the final 26-man roster.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 1 | Franco Armani | River Plate (ARG) | 36 | 18 |
| GK | 23 | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa (ENG) | 30 | 19 |
| GK | 12 | Geronimo Rulli | Villarreal (ESP) | 30 | 4 |
| DEF | 2 | Juan Foyth | Villarreal (ESP) | 24 | 16 |
| DEF | 25 | Lisandro Martinez | Man United (ENG) | 24 | 10 |
| DEF | 26 | Nahuel Molina | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 19 |
| DEF | 4 | Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla (ESP) | 25 | 19 |
| DEF | 19 | Nicolas Otamendi | Benfica (POR) | 34 | 93 |
| DEF | 6 | German Pezzella | Real Betis (ESP) | 31 | 32 |
| DEF | 13 | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (ENG) | 24 | 12 |
| DEF | 3 | Nicolas Tagliafico | Lyon (FRA) | 30 | 42 |
| MID | 8 | Marcos Acuna | Sevilla (ESP) | 30 | 43 |
| MID | 7 | Rodrigo De Paul | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 28 | 44 |
| MID | 24 | Enzo Fernandez | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 3 |
| MID | 17 | Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez | Sevilla (ESP) | 34 | 15 |
| MID | 20 | Alexis Mac Allister | Brighton (ENG) | 23 | 8 |
| MID | 14 | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) | 24 | 20 |
| MID | 5 | Leandro Paredes | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 46 |
| MID | 18 | Guido Rodriguez | Real Betis (ESP) | 28 | 26 |
| FWD | 9 | Julian Alvarez | Man City (ENG) | 22 | 12 |
| FWD | 16 | Thiago Almada | Atlanta United (USA) | 21 | 1 |
| FWD | 11 | Angel Di Maria | Juventus (ITA) | 34 | 124 |
| FWD | 21 | Paulo Dybala | AS Roma (ITA) | 28 | 34 |
| FWD | 15 | Angel Correa | Atletico Madrid | 27 | 22 |
| FWD | 22 | Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan (ITA) | 25 | 40 |
| FWD | 10 | Lionel Messi | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 165 |
The final 26-man Argentina World Cup roster
Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, and Aquiel Palacios were doubts due to fitness concerns but all three have made the cut, while Tottenham midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso is injured.
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been included after a debate over whether to select the Premier League’s new player amid strong defensive competition.
Napoli forward Giovani Simeone, who has been in sensational goalscoring form over the last year, will not join the attacking ranks led by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. However, Angel Correa of Atletico Madrid got a late game due to Nicolas Gonzalez.
There was growing clamor from United fans including Alejandro Garnacho. The teenager, who previously made the senior cap-winning squad, recently broke into United’s first team and produced a star cameo from the bench in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa – but he will have to wait. for his chance.
The Stars, Strengths and Weaknesses of the Argentina National Team
It’s World Cup finals or bust for Argentina, but instead of those expectations weighing heavily on the Albiceleste, they’re actually fueling its biggest star and his supporting cast.
Argentina’s run to the 2021 Copa America was perhaps a preview of what we can expect from Scaloni’s team in Qatar: a compact side that is difficult to play against, and one that is able to patiently control play before striking with flashes of brilliance up front. A goal from one of its world-class attackers.
STARS
Lionel Messi doesn’t have to do it all, as he has done for Argentina in the past several tournaments when teammates pass him the ball and hope he can produce a game-breaking play on his own.
Now Messi’s role is that of a facilitator. And in doing so he gets to pick and choose the moments when he feels he can take the opposite play he’s expected to do on every attack.
What we know for sure about Messi in Qatar: his poignant dribbling runs will open up space for his teammates, his free kicks will make ‘keepers tremble on their lines, and his passing vision will fool opposing defenses. And he’ll tackle and fight for every ball like it’s the last game of his career.
POWERS
The attacking talent Argentina can boast has always been one of their calling cards in international competitions. But this time the Albiceleste have a rigid, balanced, and excellent passing midfield that dictates the tempo of the game.
Players like Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul have often been standouts in their near-record unbeaten runs. If they are humming the game, Argentina is likely to win.
Guido Rodriguez will occasionally fill in for the Parades in a deep-back position with the talented Enzo Fernandez ready to provide an attacking, creative spark if the team needs him off the bench.
WEAKNESS
This is a team with some weak points if their first-choice starting XI is available. The goalkeeper position is an Achilles’ heel, although it hasn’t cost them so far.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano ‘Debu’ Martinez has built a cult following with his performances as a starter for his country – particularly in the penalty shootout – as he transitions into the Argentina kit. But he has had mixed performances for his club side so far and if he is not on form, their last line of defense could be susceptible.