2026 World Cup: Argentina shock fans with provisional squad list
Champions Argentina have named their provisional squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June.
Argentina have sparked major debate ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after reportedly naming a 55-man provisional squad that includes Lionel Messi but leaves out Paulo Dybala.
The biggest talking point from Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary list is the omission of Dybala, who was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and featured in the final against France. The Roma forward’s absence has surprised many fans, with reports suggesting the decision could be a major sign that his international future is now uncertain.
Messi remains the headline name in the squad as Argentina prepare to defend the World Cup title they won in Qatar. The Inter Miami star is expected to lead the team once again, in what could be his final appearance at the tournament.
Scaloni’s list also reflects a clear attempt to balance experience with the next generation. Young talents such as Alejandro Garnacho, Franco Mastantuono and Claudio Echeverri are among the names reported to have been included, giving Argentina fresh attacking options ahead of the tournament.
Several established stars are also expected to remain central to the team, including Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez. FIFA had earlier listed many of these players among Argentina’s key names during their 2026 World Cup preparations.
The provisional squad is only the first stage of Argentina’s selection process. Scaloni will still have to cut the list down to the final 26 players before the tournament begins. However, Dybala’s reported exclusion has already dominated discussion, with supporters questioning whether one of Argentina’s most gifted forwards still has a route back into the national team.
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Argentina’s provisional squad
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 (Hamburger SV), Kevin Mac Allister (Union Saint Gilloise), Lucas Martínez 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 Hotspur), 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 (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), Nicolás Domínguez (Nottingham Forest), Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa), Valentín Barco (RC Strasbourg)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás Paz (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 FC), Gianluca Prestianni (SL Benfica), Santiago Castro (Bologna FC), Lautaro Martínez (Internazionale), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid), Mateo Pellegrino (Parma Calcio).
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