Argentina names its preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as it looks to defend its title in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico next month.
Lionel Messi, who captained the Qatar team in 2022, was included in the squad, although coach Lionel Scaloni has left the decision on whether to play in the World Cup entirely up to the Inter Miami forward.
However, the 55-man selection excluded Paolo Dybala. Argentina has been drawn into Group J at the 2026 World Cup, along with Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and starts its campaign against Algeria on June 16.
PROVISIONAL TEAM OF ARGENTINA
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benitez, Facundo Cambeses, Santiago Beltran
Defense: Agustin Guay, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Capaldo, Kevin Mac Allister, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Marcos Senesi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Germán Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Lautaro De Lolo, Zaid Romero, Facundo Medina, Marcos Acuña, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gabriel Rojas
Midfielders: Maximo Peroni, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Aníbal Moreno, Milton Delgado, Alan Varela, Ezequiel Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Dominguez, Emiliano Buendia, Valentin Barco
Forward: Lionel Messi, Nicolas Paz, Franco Mastantono, Thiago Almada, Tomas Aranda, Nicolas Gonzalez, Alejandro Garnacho, Giuliano Simeone, Matias Solli, Claudio Etxeferee, Gianluca Prestini, Santiago Castro, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez, Julian Alvarez, Matteo Pellegrino
Published on May 12, 2026
