Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has unveiled his preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sending shockwaves through the football world by excluding Roma star Paulo Dybala. The forward, who earned 40 international caps and played a pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph at Qatar 2022, was a notable absentee from the list.
Leading the selection is eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. At 38, the legendary captain is set to guide a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents in what could be his final World Cup appearance.
The squad features several young, exciting prospects, including Alejandro Garnacho (21 years old), Franco Mastantuono (18), and Claudio Echeverri (20). Scaloni also called up two players from Brazil’s Serie A—Palmeiras duo Agustín Giay and José Manuel López.
Below is Scaloni’s complete preliminary Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez, Facundo Cambeses, Santiago Beltrán.
Defenders: Agustín Giay, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Capaldo, Kevin Mac Allister, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Marcos Senesi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Germán Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Lautaro Di Lollo, Zaid Romero, Facundo Medina, Marcos Acuña, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gabriel Rojas.
Midfielders: Máximo Perrone, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez, Aníbal Moreno, Milton Delgado, Alan Varela, Exequiel Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolás Domínguez, Emiliano Buendía, Valentín Barco.
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Nicolás Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Thiago Almada, Tomás Aranda, Nicolás González, Alejandro Garnacho, Giuliano Simeone, Matías Soulé, Claudio Echeverri, Gianluca Prestiani, Santiago Castro, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López, Julián Álvarez, Mateo Pellegrino.