Argentina named their 26-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday, with Lionel Messi set to lead the defending champions ​at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The ‌38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record, while Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, ​Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players returning ​from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in ⁠2022.

Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina’s ​third World Cup title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered ​after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.

Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, returned for his second finals after being ​part of Argentina’s squad in Russia in 2018 without making an ​appearance.

Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team’s next generation, including ‌Valentin Barco, ⁠Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.

Local media reports said left back Marcos Acuna, part of the 2022 title-winning squad, ​missed out because ​of fitness concerns.

Argentina ⁠will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, ​Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso.

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández.

Forwards: ​Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago ​Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.

-Reuters

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Egypt began their World Cup preparations with a ​1-0 home win over Russia ‌on Thursday, but talisman Mohamed Salah was rested for the friendly ​clash in Cairo.

Mostafa Ziko’s 65th-minute ​header proved the difference for ⁠Egypt, which had Omar Marmoush ​in the starting line-up, plus ​marked the return of Ligue 1 centre-back Mohamed Abdelmoneim after a long-term injury ​and made 10 changes ​during the match.

Salah, who joined up with ‌his teammates on Wednesday after a tearful end to his Liverpool career at the weekend, was ​always likely ​to ⁠miss the clash.

Egypt have a friendly against Brazil ​in Cleveland to come on ​June 6 before they begin their World Cup Group G campaign ⁠against Belgium in Seattle ​on June 15.

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigerian-descent defender Ime Okon has been named in South Africa’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Bafana Bafana prepare for their first appearance at the global football showpiece in 16 years.

Okon, who plays for Hannover in Germany, was included by Belgian coach Hugo Broos in a squad largely dominated by home-based players from South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

The defender, who has already earned seven caps and scored once for South Africa, is one of only seven players in the squad currently playing their club football outside the South African top flight.

His inclusion underlines South Africa’s growing reliance on young players with international exposure as the country attempts to make an impact at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

South Africa’s squad has a strong local flavour, with eight players each coming from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, reflecting the dominance of both clubs in the domestic game.

Okon joins a youthful defensive group assembled by Broos, alongside highly-rated Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Bradley Cross of Kaizer Chiefs, and Norway-based Samukele Kabini.

Bafana Bafana return to the World Cup after missing the last four editions, and Broos will hope his blend of youth and experience can help the team survive a difficult group containing Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Premier League fans will easily recognise Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who is expected to spearhead South Africa’s attack. Foster heads into the tournament with 10 international goals in 26 appearances and is regarded as one of the country’s biggest attacking threats.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns is also expected to play a key leadership role for the side, thanks to his experience, tactical discipline and set-piece quality.

Broos, however, continues to divide opinion among South African supporters despite guiding the country back to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

With several young defenders included in the squad, attention will also focus on Okon and Mbokazi as South Africa seek to rebuild their reputation on the global stage.

South Africa open their campaign against Mexico before taking on South Korea and the Czech Republic in the group stage.

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