Argentina Includes Lionel Messi in 2026 World Cup Roster

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Argentina national team has officially announced a provisional list of 55 players for the 2026 World Cup. Captain Lionel Messi is still on coach Lionel Scaloni's list of players selected for the squad, while Paulo Dybala is not.

The provisional list was announced by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) through their official website on Monday, May 11, 2026. Messi's inclusion has garnered significant attention. Although the Inter Miami forward has not confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Cup, his call-up suggests that he will participate in his sixth and possibly final tournament.

At the age of 38, Messi continues to be a central figure in the Argentine national team. However, Scaloni is reportedly preparing for a change in playing style so that the Albiceleste are not overly dependent on the former Barcelona player.

In addition to Messi, as cited from Antara, Argentina's provisional squad also includes key players such as Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Nico Paz. Conversely, the absence of Paulo Dybala has drawn attention. The AS Roma forward has not been called up since 2024 and is said to be gradually phased out from Scaloni's long-term project in the national team.

The provisional Argentina squad also features several young and debutant players. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho are among them. Prestianni recently received a six-match ban from UEFA for racially abusing himself against Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match against Real Madrid. FIFA later extended the ban globally, guaranteeing the absence of the 20-year-old player from the first two group stage matches of the World Cup, should he make it to the final squad.

Nevertheless, Scaloni has included Prestianni's name in the provisional list. The Benfica player previously impressed during Argentina's run to the U-20 World Cup final last year.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho has been called up despite his inconsistent performances with Chelsea this season. Scaloni is said to still consider Garnacho's speed and explosive abilities on the wing.

Argentina has also given their first call-up to Hamburg midfielder Nicolas Capaldo, Getafe defender Zaid Romero, and Parma forward Mateo Pellegrino.

As the defending champion of the 2022 World Cup, Argentina will enter the 2026 tournament as a seeded team. Albiceleste is grouped in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Of the 55 players on the provisional list, Scaloni will eventually choose 26 names to form the final squad for the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting from June 12.

Argentina's Provisional 55-Player List for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club), Samtoago Beltran (River Plate).

Defenders: Agustin Giay (Palmieras), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Kevin Mac Allister (Unions Saint-Gilloise), Lucas Martinez (River Plate), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), German Pezzella (River Plate), Lautaro Di Lollo (Boca Juniors), Zaid Romero (Getafe), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Marco Acuna (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gabriel Rojas (Racing Club).

Midfielders: Maximo Perrone (Como), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Guido Rodriguez (Valencia), Anibal Moreno (River Plate), Milton Delgado (Boca Juniors), Alan Varela (Porto), Ezequiel Fernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alex Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis).

Forwards: Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham Forest), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Tomas Aranda (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Matis Soule (Roma), Claudio Echeverri (Girona), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Santiago Castro (Bologna), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Julian Avarez (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Pellegrino (Parma Calcio).

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