Lionel Messi (centre) had led Argentina to its third World Cup title and the first since 1986, in Qatar, four years ago. | Photo Credit: AP

Argentina names its preliminary squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 as it looks to defend the title in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico next month.

Lionel Messi, who captained the team in Qatar 2022, was included in the team, though coach Lionel Scaloni has left the decision of him playing in the World Cup entirely up to the Inter Miami forward.

The 55-member squad, however, excluded Paolo Dybala. Argentina is drawn in Group J at the 2026 World Cup, with Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and will open its campaign against Algeria on June 16.

PRELIMINARY SQUAD OF ARGENTINA

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benitez, Facundo Cambeses, Santiago Beltran

Defence: 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

Forwards: 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