The defending champions of the World Cup, Argentina, have released their squad list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While some names, including Ángel Di María, Paulo Dybala, Guido Rodríguez, and Ángel Correa, legendary World Champion and right time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is headlining the squad.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni named his squad on Thursday, May 28, as they prepare to defend their title with games scheduled against Algeria, Jordan and Austria in Group J. Argentina beat France on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup and the country’s third overall.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez retained their place in the team while young standout performers in the 2025-2026 season, Nico Paz of FC Como and Valentin Barco of Strasbourg, were included.

However, Real Madrid suffered another setback after its midfielder Franco Mastantuono was not included in the squad, as no Spanish player from there received a call-up to Spain’s World Cup setup.

After a poor campaign in his debut season at Chelsea, Alejandro Garnacho was not called up for the World Cup.

Garnacho of Chelsea FC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between FC Bayern München and Chelsea FC (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was also overlooked in the wake of his much-publicised involvement in an alleged racist attack on Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during a UEFA Champions League game.

Prestianni of Benfica speaks towards Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Anticipated attendance

The FIFA World Cup scheduled for June-July 2026 is set to see approximately five to ten million people in attendance, as announced by the president of the football governing body, Gianni Infantino.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, he noted that the tournament is expected to attract millions of people across the three countries set to host the games next year.

“Millions of fans will be coming. One of the things I’ve observed in America is that the stadiums here are really built for people to have fun, to enjoy, to spend time. They don’t just watch the game and leave; they stay for hours, and I think that’s exactly what we need. We need occasions that bring people together from all over the world.”

The USA is giving priority access to fans, the WhiteHouse has announced.

People from all over the World will travel to support their countries. Consequently, the Whitehouse has announced that fans set to travel for the tournament to the USA will be given the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass), given that most of the matches will be played there.

The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) is a special visa‑interview scheduling program created by the U.S. government and FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. It gives ticket holders priority access to U.S. visa appointments, ensuring fans can travel to matches in North America despite existing visa backlogs.

Speaking during a joint press briefing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, President Donald Trump mentioned that “I’ve directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success.”

Detailing how the ‘World’ will gain access into the US, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that ticket-holders for the tournament, set for next June and July in the US, Canada and Mexico, will not be automatically granted a tourist visa.

But foreign nationals with tickets to World Cup football matches could get an interview at an embassy or consulate within six to eight weeks of applying, Rubio said.

“Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the US. We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue,” the Secretary noted.

US Human Rights Groups warn fans, visitors ahead of the tournament

Some human rights groups in the USA have sent a cautionary message to all fans, journalists, players and others who will be travelling to the state for the World Cup this summer.

The message was shared as a formal travel advisory via press releases with the consent of a coalition of over 120 human rights and civil liberties groups, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International, on Thursday, April 23.

Parts of the statement told all fans and visitors to “exercise caution” if travelling to the United States amid an era they describe as “the Trump administration’s violent and abusive immigration crackdown”.

Also, according to ACLU Human Rights Program Director Jamil Dakwar, FIFA’s relationship with the American President, who he says has little regard for human rights, shows it is preaching a commitment it is far from upholding.

He said, “FIFA has been paying lip service to human rights while cosying up with the Trump administration, putting millions of people at risk of being harmed and their basic rights violated. The Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence pose serious risks to all.

Also a member of one of the 120 coalition, Jennifer Li (Dignity 2026 coalition) added that, “We are still waiting for public commitments from FIFA and host city organisers about plans to protect residents, workers, and visitors.”