Argentina World Cup 2026 squad: Predicted lineup and tactics for Switzerland

Argentina are among the favourites to win World Cup 2026, as the defending champions aim to retain their crown in North America. They have swept through the group stage, survived two separate dramatic fightbacks in the knockout rounds, and are now in the quarter-finals with Lionel Messi having rewritten the record books at almost every turn.

Messi – having just turned 39 – has now scored 21 World Cup goals across his career, extending his own all-time record with every appearance. He has eight goals in this tournament, one clear of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland at the top of the Golden Boot standings, and became the first player in history to score in six successive World Cup knockout matches against Egypt. He also became the first player to miss two penalties in the same tournament – yet somehow that barely registers as a footnote given what he produced.

The core of the 2022 World Cup-winning group remains intact, with 17 of that squad having been called up again. The only notable absentee is Ángel Di María, who has retired from international football.

Argentina clinched first place in Group K before surviving a thrilling Cape Verde scare in the Round of 32. What followed in the Round of 16 against Egypt was even more extraordinary – trailing 2-0 with 11 minutes to play against a side making their first-ever World Cup knockout appearance, Argentina produced one of the great tournament comebacks. Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández all scored in a breathless finale to win 3-2 and send Scaloni in tears to the touchline. A Switzerland side without their best player, Johan Manzambi, now stands between Argentina and the semi-finals.

Argentina World Cup 2026 squad and lineup: key takeaways

• Messi leads the Golden Boot race outright: With 21 career World Cup goals and eight in this tournament, Messi is now one ahead of Mbappé and Haaland in the standings. Every game he plays, another record falls.

• Julián Álvarez started against Egypt and kept his place: Lautaro Martínez was dropped for the Round of 16, with Álvarez rewarded for his impact off the bench. He is the likely starter against Switzerland.

• Tagliafico has replaced Medina at left back: Facundo Medina missed the Egypt game with a fitness concern, and Nicolás Tagliafico filled in. Expect the same against Switzerland.

• The midfield picks itself (with one tweak): Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister remain Scaloni’s trusted trio, but Leandro Paredes was deployed against Egypt in a slightly altered shape.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina legacy

Argentina hired Lionel Scaloni as their interim manager after the World Cup 2018, a tournament which ended in failure for the Albiceleste.

He was supposed to be in charge for just a few months until Argentina found someone else, but Scaloni ended up landing the job on a full-time basis – despite doubts from some prominent figures in Argentinian football, not least the late Diego Maradona.

Scaloni has worked wonders since then. World Cup 2022 was his crowning glory, but the former West Ham United defender has also led Argentina to two Copa America titles. It is hard to quibble with his record.

Prediction for Head Coach

There is a sense that this will be Scaloni’s final tournament with Argentina, regardless of what happens in North America. He will be determined to go out with a bang by becoming only the second manager in history to win two World Cups.

The star player: Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi turned 39 during the World Cup, and while he may not have the electric acceleration he once had, he is showing no signs of slowing down in a numbers sense. He has been lethal in the final third and has just been a class above so far.

For all the talent available to Scaloni, Messi remains the talisman – and that is unlikely to change given that he has scored an incredible eight goals in five games so far.

Prediction for Star Player

Lionel Messi is the leading contender to win the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, the awards given to the tournament’s best player and its top scorer, respectively. Even if Messi ultimately falls short in pursuit of both those honours, he remains the man to whom Argentina will look for inspiration.

Argentina 2026 World Cup confirmed 26-man squad

How Argentina lined up against Egypt

The lineup from the Egypt match is the closest guide to what Scaloni will field against Switzerland. Tagliafico replaced Medina at left back, Álvarez came in for Lautaro Martínez, and Paredes was included in a slightly deeper midfield role.

Switzerland’s best player, Johan Manzambi, is absent with a knee injury sustained in training before the Colombia game – a devastating loss for Murat Yakin’s side and one that tilts the balance firmly towards Argentina.

How to bet on the Argentina starting 11

Messi is the obvious pick in the anytime goalscorer market and has scored in every single game at this tournament. Against a Switzerland side without Manzambi and relying heavily on Gregor Kobel’s shot-stopping to stay in the tie, Argentina’s attack should find space.

Julián Álvarez is an intriguing secondary option – his movement in behind and relentless pressing cause problems for organised defensive lines, and he offers value if priced longer than Messi.

For cards, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández are the most likely Argentina players to pick up bookings, given their combative midfield roles and Scaloni’s high-intensity pressing system. Backing these individual player props is an excellent way to deploy any tournament betting offers you have sitting in your account.

Is there a chance of Argentina winning?

As defending champions, and with Messi, the odds of winning the World Cup are never small. After two one-sided games in groups, they have shown that they are strongly in the mix for the WC title.

FAQ about the 2026 Argentina World Cup squad

1. How many times have Argentina won the World Cup?

Argentina have won the World Cup three times in their history, which means only Brazil, Italy, and Germany have been more successful on the biggest stage of all. Their maiden triumph came on home soil in 1978, before Diego Maradona inspired them to victory in 1986.

Argentina’s most recent success came in 2022, as Lionel Messi drove them to the title in Qatar.

2. Which players are injured and missing from the starting 11?

Facundo Medina missed the Egypt game with a fitness concern, with Nicolás Tagliafico starting in his place. Gonzalo Montiel also remains absent. There are no other significant concerns in the squad ahead of Kansas City.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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