Argentina Unveils 55-Man Preliminary Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

• ARG have revealed their 55-man preliminary squad for the FIFA WC

• Messi is part of the squad however, there’s no room for Dybala

• Tainted player Prestianni is also named on the squad

Defending champions Argentina have named their preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as they prepare to defend their title in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting next month. Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is included in the squad; however, manager Lionel Scaloni has left the decision to participate in the tournament entirely up to Messi.

Scaloni’s 55-member squad does not feature AS Roma star Paulo Dybala. Conversely, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, recently banned by FIFA, finds a spot on the roster. The player could miss the first two games of the tournament, if selected, due to FIFA extending his six-match suspension for homophobic conduct to a worldwide level.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect,” a FIFA spokesperson stated on Wednesday.

“The sanction has been extended in accordance with Article 70 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”

Prestianni was banned by UEFA following accusations of directing a racial slur at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during a February UEFA Champions League match, which Real won 1-0.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina Preliminary Squad

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

As the defending champions of the 2022 World Cup, the Albiceleste are entering the 2026 edition as a seeded team. Argentina is placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Scaloni will soon narrow his 55-man squad down to a 26-member team that will compete in the tournament next month.

Argentina’s first match at the World Cup is against Algeria on June 17 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.