Argentina keeps core of 2022 winners for 2026 — does Messi’s side have enough renewal?

Argentina has named a 2026 World Cup squad that includes 15 outfield players who were part of the nation’s 2022 World Cup-winning roster, according to a statistic highlighted by Telemundo journalist Jaime Macias and reported by World Soccer Talk on June 4, 2026. That level of continuity is the highest among World Cup champions this century and immediately raises questions about whether Lionel Scaloni’s team has refreshed enough to defend the title in the expanded 48-team tournament taking place across Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Why it matters

Retaining a large portion of a title-winning squad can preserve cohesion and experience, but historical precedent shows it can also correlate with poorer outcomes for defending champions. Spain, France, Italy and Germany each carried sizable numbers of returning outfield winners into their follow-up tournaments this century and failed to replicate prior success. Argentina’s choice to keep a veteran core — coupled with an average squad age reported at 29.1 by Transfermarkt — therefore represents a strategic gamble: continuity versus the need for fresh energy and tactical evolution.

Who returned and who is new

World Soccer Talk lists 15 outfield players from Argentina’s 2022 winners who were included in the 2026 squad: Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Thiago Almada. The report also names eight outfield additions with no World Cup gold: Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Valentín Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, José Manuel López, Nicolás González and Giovani Lo Celso.

The story notes goalkeepers Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli are excluded from the outfield count but were part of the 2022 winners; the retention figure specifically references outfield players.

Historical pattern and tournament format

World Soccer Talk compares Argentina’s retention with past defending champions and highlights a worrying trend: teams that recycled many previous winners often underperformed at the next World Cup. Examples cited include Spain (14 returnees in 2014), France (13 returnees in 2002), Italy and Germany (eight returnees in subsequent tournaments) and Brazil (eight in 2006). However, the 2026 World Cup’s new 48-team format and the provision for several best third-placed teams to progress reduce the immediate risk of a group-stage exit compared with earlier tournaments.

Squad age, experience and tactical options

According to the report, Argentina’s squad average age sits at 29.1 — the oldest among major contenders and identical to the average of the 2022 winners. That suggests Scaloni has prioritised experience. The article points out Scaloni has previously demonstrated willingness to make bold changes (for example, after Argentina’s opening loss in Qatar 2022), and the manager has added younger or previously sidelined players — like Nico Paz and Valentín Barco — to inject fresh talent. The absence of Ángel Di María from the 2026 list is noted as the one direct creative loss from the 2022 starting lineup, with Scaloni expected to use Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso or other attacking options to cover that role.

• 15 outfield players from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners have been named in the 2026 squad.
• The outfield returnees named: Tagliafico, Montiel, L. Martínez, Romero, Otamendi, Molina, Paredes, De Paul, Palacios, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, J. Álvarez, L. Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Thiago Almada.
• Eight outfield players without World Cup gold were added: Balerdi, F. Medina, V. Barco, G. Simeone, N. Paz, J. M. López, N. González, G. Lo Celso.
• Argentina’s reported squad average age is 29.1, the oldest among major contenders according to Transfermarkt.
• The 48-team 2026 format reduces the likelihood of an immediate group-stage exit compared with past tournaments.

Psychological and competitive implications

The World Soccer Talk piece emphasises the psychological variable: Argentina’s 2022 campaign carried the sense of a final chance to crown Lionel Messi’s career with World Cup glory. Whether that intense collective hunger endures among players who have already achieved the ultimate prize is a question the 2026 tournament will answer. The report points to Argentina’s recent run — back-to-back Copa América wins and a strong CONMEBOL qualifying campaign with 38 points — as signs the squad remains competitive and motivated.

What happens next

Argentina will head into the 2026 World Cup with a blend of proven winners and fresh faces. The next steps that would clarify the picture include official confirmation of the final squad list from the Argentine Football Association, any manager comments from Lionel Scaloni on selection and tactical plans, and closer examination of player fitness, form and club situations ahead of the tournament. Those details were not provided in the source and should be sought before publishing a definitive analysis.

In short: Argentina’s heavy retention of its 2022 outfield winners underlines continuity and experience as the foundation for its title defence, but historical precedent and the squad’s age profile make the balance between experience and renewal a central storyline to monitor in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.