World Cup 2026: Argentina’s preliminary squad with Messi and without Dybala

The Argentina team has taken another step in its preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The coach Lionel Scaloni has submitted to FIFA an expanded list of 55 players, a prelude to the final announcement of the 26 chosen expected on June 2. Not surprisingly, Lionel Messi features among the headline names of a squad blending veteran mainstays and an ambitious new generation. The Inter Miami CF captain will seek to guide the Albiceleste to a second consecutive title.

The main surprise concerns Paulo Dybala’s absence. Lacking consistency with AS Roma, the striker seems to be paying for a season in a lukewarm spell. Conversely, Scaloni continues the renewal with several promising young talents, including Alejandro Garnacho, Franco Mastantuono and Claudio Echeverri. Domestic football isn’t forgotten, with a strong representation of River Plate and Boca Juniors players. A prudent strategy that allows Scaloni to cover all scenarios before their opener against the Algerian national team.

The 55 Argentine preliminary call-ups:

Goalkeepers:

EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ – Aston Villa
GERÓNIMO RULLI – Olympique de Marseille
JUAN MUSSO – Atlético de Madrid
WALTER BENÍTEZ – Crystal Palace FC
FACUNDO CAMBESES – Racing Club
SANTIAGO BELTRÁN – River Plate

Defenders:

AGUSTÍN GIAY – Palmeiras
GONZALO MONTIEL – River Plate
NAHUEL MOLINA – Atlético de Madrid
NICOLÁS CAPALDO – Hamburg SV
KEVIN MAC ALLISTER – Union Saint Gilloise
LUCAS MARTINEZ QUARTA – River Plate
MARCOS SENESI – Bournemouth
LISANDRO MARTÍNEZ – Manchester United
NICOLÁS OTAMENDI – SL Benfica
GERMÁN PEZZELLA – River Plate
LEONARDO BALERDI – Olympique de Marseille
CRISTIAN ROMERO – Tottenham
LAUTARO DI LOLLO – Boca Juniors
ZAID ROMERO – Getafe CF
FACUNDO MEDINA – Olympique de Marseille
MARCOS ACUÑA – River Plate
NICOLÁS TAGLIAFICO – Olympique Lyonnais
GABRIEL ROJAS – Racing Club

Midfielders:

MÁXIMO PERRONE – Calcio Como 1907
LEANDRO PAREDES – Boca Juniors
GUIDO RODRÍGUEZ – Valencia CF
ANÍBAL MORENO – River Plate
MILTON DELGADO – Boca Juniors
ALAN VARELA – FC Porto
EZEQUIEL FERNÁNDEZ – Bayer Leverkusen
RODRIGO DE PAUL – Inter Miami
EXEQUIEL PALACIOS – Bayer Leverkusen
ENZO FERNÁNDEZ – Chelsea
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER – Liverpool
GIOVANI LO CELSO – Real Betis Balompié
NICOLÁS DOMÍNGUEZ – Nottingham Forest
EMILIANO BUENDIA – Aston Villa
VALENTÍN BARCO – Strasbourg

Forwards:

LIONEL MESSI – Inter Miami
NICOLÁS PAZ – Calcio Como 1907
FRANCO MASTANTUONO – Real Madrid
THIAGO ALMADA – Atlético de Madrid
TOMÁS ARANDA – Boca Juniors
NICOLÁS GONZÁLEZ – Atlético de Madrid
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – Chelsea
GIULIANO SIMEONE – Atlético de Madrid
MATÍAS SOULÉ – AS Roma
CLAUDIO ECHEVERRI – Girona Fútbol Club
GIANLUCA PRESTIANNI – SL Benfica
SANTIAGO CASTRO – Bologna FC
LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ – Internazionale de Milán
JOSÉ MANUEL LÓPEZ – Palmeiras
JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ – Atlético de Madrid
MATEO PELLEGRINO – Parma Calcio