For the third time of their historical past, Argentina will head into the subsequent World Cup as reigning champions.
Arguably the best remaining within the competitors’s historical past noticed La Albiceleste carry the trophy following a 3-3 draw after additional time and an eventual 4-2 penalty-shootout victory towards France.
It got here in good time for among the Argentine squad, with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and, after all, Lionel Messi – who successfully shut down that infinite debate together with his captaining of Argentina’s third star-acquiring squad – lastly getting their arms on the World Cup at their (possible) remaining makes an attempt.
So, with the absence of among the names we’re so acquainted with now, who may line up for Argentina on the 2026 World Cup?
GK: Emiliano Martinez – He’ll win no sportsmanship awards, however he merely will not care. Neal Maupay has made this man among the best goalkeepers in soccer – and Copa America and World Cup winner’s medals within the house of a 12 months are honest proof of that. He’ll be 33 by the point we’re gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, which is not any age for a shotstopper.
RB: Nahuel Molina – The Atletico Madrid man featured in each sport of Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup marketing campaign, beginning each knockout spherical. At simply 24 years of age, he has a brilliant future and has already enshrined himself into Argentine folklore – anticipate him so as to add to his 27 caps earlier than the North American World Cup rolls round.
CB: Cristian Romero – Nicolas Otamendi might need carried out out of his pores and skin to play each minute of his nation’s World Cup-winning journey in Qatar, however the 34-year-old is actually within the twilight of his profession, having earned his a hundredth cap within the remaining. A pure inheritor to the central defender is unquestionably Romero, who already shows a substantial amount of management, in addition to diehard patriotism, when donning the well-known blue and white stripes – as he did all through the World Cup this 12 months.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – With Otamendi doubtless hanging the boots up quickly, Martinez appears the clever alternative to fit into the again 4. The Manchester United defender might need began simply twice in Qatar however commonly impressed with alternative. Ought to his membership kind proceed over the approaching years, he ought to be a shoo-in for a spot within the Albiceleste aspect.
LB: Facundo Medina – The likes of Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico might be previous their greatest by the point 2026 arrives upon us, however simply getting into his prime might be Facundo Medina. Though capped simply twice, the 23-year-old Lens man was in Argentina’s preliminary squad for the event in Qatar, and will nicely be given a task to play within the remaining squad in 4 years’ time.
CM: Rodrigo De Paul – Beginning each sport in Qatar, De Paul was certainly one of Argentina’s key males on the 2022 World Cup. Chunk and tenacity are hallmarks of the dogged midfielder’s sport and, set to be in his very early 30s when La Albiceleste defend their crown in North America, he may nicely be favoured to enhance his nation’s clean creativity in 2026.
Argentina’s midfield should not expertise an excessive amount of tinkering within the forthcoming years / Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/GettyImages
CM: Enzo Fernandez – If the 2022 World Cup was something to go by, 21-year-old Enzo Fernandez goes to be an extremely laborious man to push out of the Argentina aspect within the subsequent 4 years and much past. Choosing up the Younger Participant of the Match accolade, the Benfica dynamo got here to Qatar with simply three caps – having made his Argentina debut in September – however left an absolute certainty within the first XI.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – Capping off what ought to nicely be an unchanged midfield from Argentina’s 2022 triumph is Mac Allister. Premier League followers may have already recognized the standard the Brighton man possesses, however he actually broadcasted it to the world as he performed a starring position in his nation’s third star. At simply 24, he’ll be bossing it in his prime years when the subsequent World Cup comes round, and he is undoubtedly already proved his capabilities on the largest stage.
AM: Paulo Dybala – That is the place the nostalgia goes to come back steamrolling by means of in 4 years’ time. The likes of Messi and Di Maria may have handed the sky blue and pure white baton all the way down to the subsequent era by the point we set sail for the 2026 World Cup, leaving enormous footwear to fill for his or her heirs. Dybala was as soon as described as the subsequent Messi and, though harm curtailed his World Cup in Qatar, his plain brilliance will hopefully be capable to shine by means of subsequent time.
ST: Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United’s electrical teenager Garnacho made Argentina’s preliminary squad for the 2022 World Cup however, ought to he proceed progressing at lightspeed within the shining highlight, he’ll be set for international stardom on the 2026 World Cup – by which era he’ll nonetheless solely be 22 years of age.
ST: Julian Alvarez – Collective willpower and accountability was a key theme of Argentina’s success in 2022, epitomised by the tireless operating of Alvarez across the talismanic beacon of Messi. With Garnacho, Alvarez may nicely be in for the same position round Dybala 4 years from now. After a four-goal haul and a typically good maiden World Cup marketing campaign, there does not appear another possibility than Manchester Metropolis’s Alvarez for the Argentine ahead line now.