News Focus
- Palacios earns recall despite limited starts this season for his German club
- Scaloni keeps the core of the 2022 winning squad intact for the title defence
- New faces include Balerdi and González, adding Bundesliga experience to the group
- Argentina will face Algeria, Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J
- Messi leads the attack as the Albiceleste chase history in the competition
Exequiel Palacios will join Argentina’s attempt to retain their global crown this summer after coach Lionel Scaloni included the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder in his final squad. The 27-year-old aims to play a bigger role than in Qatar, where he featured for just 47 minutes during their triumphant 2022 campaign.
The midfielder endured a frustrating club season, waiting until February to make his first league start. However, his strong form during the closing weeks of the campaign convinced the national team boss to select him. Argentina hope to become the first nation to win consecutive titles since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962.
The roster retains the majority of stars from their previous victory, including captain Lionel Messi. Scaloni has added fresh faces in defence, with former Borussia Dortmund centre-back Leonardo Balerdi receiving a call-up. VfB Stuttgart winger Nicolás González also joins the group, meaning three squad members boast recent Bundesliga experience.
The three-time champions begin their Group J fixtures against Algeria. They will then clash with Austria before concluding the section against tournament debutants Jordan.
Scaloni has chosen Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli and Juan Musso as his goalkeeping options. The defensive unit features Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Tagliafico, Balerdi and Facundo Medina.
In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Palacios and Valentín Barco provide the engine room. The forward line sees Messi link up with Lautaro Martínez, Julián Alvarez, González, Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz and José Manuel López.