Argentina World Cup final lineup, starting 11 in Qatar 2022: Di Maria back in for title decider vs France

David Lynch

Argentina World Cup final lineup, starting 11 in Qatar 2022: Di Maria back in for title decider vs France image

For any football manager, it simply doesn't get bigger than picking a team for a World Cup final.

And that is the task Lionel Scaloni faces after guiding Argentina to the showpiece fixture of Qatar 2022 in impressive fashion over the past four weeks. 

La Albiceleste made a terrible start to the tournament in losing to Saudi Arabia but have grown with every passing game to march into the final. 

Now, to take the final step and secure their country's third title and a first for national icon Lionel Messi, they must defeat reigning champions France.

Here's how Scaloni's men line up for that challenge. 

MORE: Follow the World Cup 2022 final live Argentina vs France best bets 

MORE: FIFA World Cup final 2022: Argentina vs France prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for title decider

Argentina confirmed lineup vs France

(4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico — 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister — 11. Di Maria, 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None

Head coach Lionel Scaloni's biggest call centered on whether to bring Angel Di Maria back in for Leandro Paredes in the 4-4-2 formation that beat Croatia.

And he has elected to go with the former Real Madrid and PSG man, although a 4-3-3 is expected to be used today, who was an unused sub for the 2014 final defeat to Germany due to fitness concerns.

Argentina's only injury doubt was Papu Gomez but he is available and on the bench, while fullbacks Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna come back into the squad after suspension.

However, the latter has dropped out of the starting XI despite having initially been named in it, with Nicolas Tagliafico his replacement at left-back.

MORE: World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: Updated rankings in the Golden Boot race

Argentina World Cup squad

Here are the 26 names on Argentina's current World Cup squad in Qatar (Caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Franco Armani River Plate (ARG) 36 18
GK 23 Emiliano Martinez Aston Villa (ENG) 30 19
GK 12 Geronimo Rulli Villarreal (SPA) 30 4
DEF 8 Marcos Acuna Sevilla (SPA) 30 43
DEF 2 Juan Foyth Villarreal (SPA) 24 16
DEF 25 Lisandro Martinez Man United (ENG) 24 10
DEF 26 Nahuel Molina Atletico Madrid (SPA) 24 19
DEF 4 Gonzalo Montiel Sevilla (SPA) 25 19
DEF 19 Nicolas Otamendi Benfica (POR) 34 93
DEF 6 German Pezzella Real Betis (SPA) 31 32
DEF 13 Cristian Romero Tottenham (ENG) 24 12
DEF 3 Nicolas Tagliafico Lyon (FRA) 30 42
MID 7 Rodrigo De Paul Atletico Madrid (SPA) 28 44
MID 24 Enzo Fernandez Benfica (POR) 21 3
MID 17 Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez Sevilla (SPA) 34 15
MID 20 Alexis Mac Allister Brighton (ENG) 23 8
MID 14 Exequiel Palacios Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 24 20
MID 5 Leandro Paredes Juventus (ITA) 28 46
MID 18 Guido Rodriguez Real Betis (SPA) 28 26
FWD 9 Julian Alvarez Man City (ENG) 22 12
FWD 16 Thiago Almada Atlanta United (USA) 21 1
FWD 11 Angel Di Maria Juventus (ITA) 34 124
FWD 21 Paulo Dybala AS Roma (ITA) 28 34
FWD 15 Angel Correa Atletico Madrid 25 22
FWD 22 Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan (ITA) 25 40
FWD 10 Lionel Messi PSG (FRA) 35 165

READ: MESSI & RONALDO: DESTINATION MUNDIAL | THE FULL SERIES

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David Lynch

David Lynch Photo

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.