Argentina has named a 28-man squad for their international friendly against Guatemala, scheduled to take place at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on 31 March. Under the leadership of coach Lionel Scaloni, the match will serve as a key preparation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi will captain the side, bringing his experience and leadership to a team already featuring stars such as Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martínez, and Enzo Fernández. The friendly was arranged by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) following the cancellation of the Finalissima match against Spain in Doha.
Scaloni has introduced two new faces into the squad: Estudiantes centre-back Tomás Palacios and Racing Club left-back Gabriel Rojas. The last time Argentina played an international fixture was on 14 November against Angola. Left-back Marcos Acuña, who missed that match, has returned to the squad. Injuries have ruled out Giovanni Lo Celso, Lisandro Martínez, and Lautaro Martínez. In their place, Scaloni has called up Nico Paz and Gianluca Prestinni to bolster the midfield.
Argentina Squad for Guatemala Friendly
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Emiliano Martínez, Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli |
| Defenders | Marcos Acuña, Leonardo Balerdi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomás Palacios, Gabriel Rojas, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Tagliafico |
| Midfielders | Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Maximiliano Perrone, Valentín Barco, Ezequiel Palacios, Leandro Paredes, Nico Paz, Gianluca Prestinni |
| Forwards | Thiago Almada, Julián Álvarez, Nicolás González, José López, Lionel Messi, Giuliano Simeone |
This friendly marks Argentina’s only pre-World Cup fixture. The 2026 World Cup will commence on 11 June, with Argentina opening their campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on 16 June. The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The match against Guatemala will be an important test for Scaloni to evaluate squad combinations, integrate new players, and fine-tune strategies before the World Cup. Analysts anticipate that the inclusion of fresh talent alongside experienced internationals will provide Argentina with both depth and flexibility in attack and defence.
With the World Cup approaching, this friendly offers the team a final opportunity to settle formations, test tactical approaches, and ensure key players regain match fitness. Scaloni’s selection reflects a careful balance between maintaining the team’s core strength and exploring promising new options for the tournament.
Overall, the Guatemala friendly is expected to provide valuable insights into Argentina’s readiness for the global stage, giving fans a first glimpse of the team that will compete for football’s ultimate prize this summer.