Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero is in Argentina's preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Lionel Scaloni in the 55-man list submitted in May 2026. The Tottenham Hotspur centre-back is 28 at kick-off and brings 49 senior Argentina caps and three international goals into the preliminary squad picture, with the Qatar 2022 trophy on his record after starting six of Argentina's seven matches at the tournament, including the final against France.

Argentina face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J, opening against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June. Scaloni's side qualified by winning the CONMEBOL round-robin on 25 March 2025, and Romero is listed among the senior defender options on the preliminary list.

Romero is described as a proactive centre-back — front-foot defending, step-up tackling, midfield interceptions, and a deliberately risky read of the game. Exceptional ability in the air completes the profile, with a record of scoring headers from attacking set pieces.

He was named Tottenham captain ahead of the 2025-26 season, adding a senior-club leadership layer to the same defender brief. In Scaloni's 4-3-3 his 49 caps and three international goals sit on the preliminary squad sheet among the senior defender names.

Argentina sit in Tier 1 at £32m within the game's £200m card budget — the premium top band. The Group J draw against Algeria, Austria and Jordan frames the early fixtures, with Scaloni's confirmed 4-3-3 and the CONMEBOL qualifying route behind the team-slot pick.

Romero brings the £32m pick a centre-back profile built on 49 caps from the Escaloneta cycle, three international goals, aerial strength on attacking set pieces, and a starting role across six of seven matches at Qatar 2022. For Argentina, that is proven defensive control inside a Tier 1 team plus threat at the other end.