Argentina Announces 55-Player Preliminary Squad for 2026 World Cup
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has announced a 55-player preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, blending 2022 champions like Lionel Messi with emerging talents. Notable absences include retired stars Ángel Di María and excluded Paulo Dybala, while River Plate and Boca Juniors contribute significantly. The final 26-man roster will be selected by May 30. This announcement marks a critical step in Argentina’s title defense campaign, balancing experienced leadership with new prospects ahead of the tournament hosted in North America.
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Lionel Messi named in Argentina's 2026 World Cup squad despite injury concerns
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced the 26-man World Cup roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming captain Lionel Messi will participate in his sixth tournament despite recent muscle fatigue. The reigning champions will seek a second consecutive title, with 17 players returning from the 2022 winning squad. Several key players were injury concerns, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (fractured finger), defender Cristian Romero (knee sprain), and fullbacks Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel (muscle injuries). Argentina will debut on June 16 against Algeria in Group J, also featuring Austria and Jordan. The squad will travel to Kansas City for friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the tournament.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AFA President Tapia Wishes Scaloni Happy Birthday Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia publicly celebrated the 48th birthday of national team coach Lionel Scaloni with a heartfelt message on social media. The greeting, which included a photo collage from the Qatar World Cup, expressed hopes for fulfilling the dream shared by all Argentines, implicitly referring to winning the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the United States. Scaloni, who is preparing for the tournament, recently discussed the challenges of defending their title in an interview with Conmebol. He emphasized that while winning is difficult, it is not impossible, and highlighted his strategic approach of providing concise information to players to avoid overwhelming them. The article also outlines Argentina's group stage schedule for the 2026 World Cup, listing matches against Algeria in Kansas City, and Austria and Jordan in Dallas. The team is currently finalizing its 26-player squad for the competition, aiming to achieve a consecutive championship title.
www.ole.com.ar - HomeArgentina Announces 2026 World Cup Preliminary Squad Led by Messi
Argentina has announced a 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, led by captain Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Julian Alvarez. Notably, Angel Di Maria, who retired in 2024, is the only player from the 2022 final starting lineup excluded, highlighting coach Lionel Scaloni's strategy of blending experienced core players with emerging talent. Messi’s recent performance in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami is considered crucial; despite concerns about match sharpness compared to European leagues, his reduced physical load may aid tournament preparation. The squad features significant representation from Atletico Madrid, suggesting a preference for tactical cohesion among club teammates. Young talents like Franco Mastantuono and Claudio Echeverri have been included alongside veterans such as Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul. Argentina will defend their title in Group J against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. This selection marks Messi's record sixth World Cup appearance, potentially his last, as the team aims to balance established success with new energy ahead of the final roster cut on June 1.
yahoo sportsMessi Named in Argentina's Preliminary 55-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has included captain Lionel Messi in the preliminary 55-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, addressing widespread speculation regarding the 38-year-old superstar's participation. Although Messi has not yet fully confirmed his availability, his inclusion suggests he intends to compete as Argentina aims to defend their title. The forward list also features Gianluca Prestianni, who faces a six-match ban for homophobic slurs that may cause him to miss the first two group stage matches. Messi, who recently hinted at retirement from elite football, remains a pivotal figure for the team, with teammates like Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul emphasizing his irreplaceable impact. The tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, begins on June 11, 2026. Argentina is scheduled to open its campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan in Dallas. This announcement marks a significant step in finalizing the roster for the expanded 48-team World Cup, balancing veteran leadership with emerging talent amidst ongoing disciplinary and fitness considerations.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraMessi Included in Argentina's 55-Man Preliminary Squad for 2026 World Cup
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has named Lionel Messi in the preliminary 55-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, partially addressing fan speculation regarding the captain's participation. Although the 38-year-old Inter Miami star has hinted that his international career may be ending, his inclusion suggests he remains a key figure as Argentina aims to defend their title. However, Messi has not yet fully confirmed his availability for the tournament, which begins on June 11. The squad announcement also features 20-year-old Gianluca Prestianni, who faces a six-match ban for using homophobic slurs, potentially causing him to miss the first two group games against Algeria and Austria. Teammates Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul have expressed strong support for Messi's presence, emphasizing his impact on the team's performance. The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will see Argentina open their campaign in Kansas City before moving to Dallas for subsequent matches. This selection marks a significant step in finalizing the roster for the expanded tournament.
yahoo sportsScaloni Reveals 55-Man Pre-List for Argentina's 2026 World Cup Squad
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced a disruptive 55-player pre-list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, breaking from tradition by revealing reserves a month before the tournament begins in Mexico. The list mixes twenty world champions from the 2022 Qatar victory with surprising new faces and returning players. Key absences include Paulo Dybala, Franco Armani, and Ángel Di María, who have retired or fallen out of favor. Twelve players on the list have never played for the senior national team, including Tomás Aranda and Claudio Echeverri, while Alejandro Garnacho returns after a long absence. Scaloni must now narrow this group down to the final twenty-six players by May 31, ahead of friendlies against Honduras and Iceland. Although twenty-four spots are considered secure, critical decisions remain regarding the third goalkeeper position and defensive backups, especially following Nahuel Molina's recent injury. The final squad will aim to defend Argentina's title in the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with the opening match scheduled against Algeria in Kansas.
Clarin.com - Home - Lo últimoScaloni Sets May 30 Deadline for Argentina's 2026 World Cup Squad
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has submitted a preliminary list of 55 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the final roster of 26 athletes due by May 30, 2026. While FIFA permits administrative updates until June 2, the sporting decisions are expected to be finalized by late May. The pre-list features guaranteed spots for key figures from the 2022 Qatar victory, including Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martínez, and Julián Álvarez. Notable surprises include the inclusion of River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán and three Boca Juniors players making their senior national team debut. Conversely, prominent absentee Paulo Dybala was excluded, continuing his absence from recent squads. The final selection will determine who defends Argentina's title in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This announcement marks a critical step in the team's preparation, balancing experienced world champions with emerging talent and unexpected choices from the domestic league.
Clarin.com - Home - Lo últimoScaloni Includes Four Boca Juniors Players in Argentina's 2026 World Cup Pre-List
Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the preliminary roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring four players from Boca Juniors. The most prominent inclusion is experienced midfielder and world champion Leandro Paredes, who remains a key figure in the squad. In a surprising development, three young talents trained at Boca’s youth facility, Lautaro Di Lollo, Milton Delgado, and Tomás Aranda, have also been selected. This marks their first call-up to the senior national team, recognizing their significant growth and strong performances during the current season. Beyond these four active club members, the pre-list includes six additional players with roots in Boca Juniors' youth academy who currently play for European clubs, such as Equi Fernández, Alan Varela, Valentín Barco, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, and Nicolás Capaldo. The announcement comes one month before the tournament begins in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, highlighting the continued influence of Boca Juniors in supplying talent to the Argentine national team.
Clarin.com - Home - Lo últimoSix River Plate Players Named in Argentina's 2026 World Cup Pre-list
One month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially announced a preliminary roster of 55 players. Head coach Lionel Scaloni will select the final 26-man squad from this list to defend the title won in Qatar 2022. River Plate leads all clubs with six representatives, highlighting its significant contribution to the national team. The selected players include three 2022 World Cup champions: Gonzalo Montiel, Germán Pezzella, and Marcos Acuña. They are joined by Lucas Martínez Quarta, a key defensive option and 2024 Copa América winner, and midfielder Aníbal Moreno, who has regained form since returning to Argentine football. The most notable inclusion is 21-year-old goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán, whose impressive performances for River Plate under Eduardo Coudet have earned him a surprise spot. This marks Beltrán's first serious consideration for the senior squad after serving as a sparring partner in 2025. The announcement underscores the blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent as Argentina prepares for the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Clarin.com - Home - Lo últimoScaloni Names 55-Man Preliminary Squad for Argentina's 2026 World Cup Campaign
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has announced a 55-man preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The list is headlined by captain Lionel Messi, although his final participation remains unconfirmed. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) revealed the roster on May 11, 2026, which will be reduced to a final 26-player team expected by May 30. The squad retains a strong core from the 2022 World Cup-winning team, including Emiliano Martínez, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Enzo Fernández. Notable inclusions are emerging talents like Nicolás Paz and Franco Mastantuono, while veterans Ángel Di María and Paulo Dybala are absent due to retirement or exclusion. Argentina is set to begin their title defense on June 16 in Kansas City against Algeria, with Austria and Jordan completing Group J. This announcement marks a significant step in the nation's preparation to defend their global crown, blending experienced leadership with youthful energy under Scaloni’s guidance.
Buenos Aires TimesArgentina Announces 55-Player Pre-List for 2026 World Cup Featuring Messi
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has released a preliminary 55-player squad list for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Lionel Scaloni included veteran star Lionel Messi alongside Palmeiras players Agustín Giay and Flaco López, as well Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The final 26-man roster is scheduled for announcement on May 30. Notable world champions such as Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, and Lautaro Martínez remain in contention. However, retired stars Ángel Di María and Franco Armani are absent, while Juan Foyth is excluded due to injury. Angel Correa and Paulo Dybala were also omitted. A significant development involves Gianluca Prestianni, who faces a suspension for the first two group stage matches after insulting Vinicius Junior. Argentina is set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, within Group J, which also includes Austria and Jordan. This pre-list marks a critical step in the team's preparation, blending experienced veterans with emerging talents from various international leagues.
Folha de S.Paulo - Em cima da hora - PrincipalScaloni Announces 55-Player Pre-List for Argentina's 2026 World Cup Squad
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has submitted a preliminary roster of 55 players to FIFA for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The list blends experienced veterans from the 2022 Qatar victory with emerging young talents shining in European and Argentine leagues. Key figures such as Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martínez, and Lautaro Martínez remain included, despite uncertainty surrounding Messi's participation. Notable absences include retired stars Franco Armani and Ángel Di María, as well as injured or suspended players like Juan Foyth and Alejandro Papu Gómez. The domestic contribution is limited to twelve players from River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Racing Club. Newcomers and returning players like Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, and Alejandro Garnacho highlight the squad's evolution. Scaloni must now reduce this extensive pre-list to the final tournament squad before the competition begins in one month. This announcement marks the start of Argentina's title defense campaign, balancing established leadership with fresh prospects aiming to secure their places in the final selection.
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