The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced the preliminary squad as part of the final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada and Mexico. The current world champion coach Lionel Scaloni has put 55 footballers in the list announced on Monday.
The final 26-member squad of the World Cup will be finalized from this preliminary team. According to FIFA rules, the final list must be submitted by May 30th. Changes will also be taken from this list due to injury if necessary.
Co-ordination between the European and domestic
Players have been kept in both domestic and Europe in the primary team. River has a lot of places from the plates and Boca Juniors. Besides, there are regular national team members playing in the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and League A.
The new face and surprises
There are also a number of new faces in the list of Scaloni, who have not had regular opportunities in the national team before. Among the youth are Alejandro Garnacho, Claudio Echeveri, Matias Sule, Franco Mastan Tuyono and Gianluca Prestianni.
Lautaro de Lollo and Zaid Romero are watching the defense. Milton Delgado and Thomas Aranda’s inclusion in the midfield is seen as a surprise.
The Trust of Experience
The veterans include captain Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandes and Christian Romero. Several members of the 2022 World Cup-winning team are also in the squad.
Preparation Schedule
Argentina will play two warm-up matches before the World Cup. Scaloni’s side will take on Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9. The team will then camp in the United States.
Argentina’s primary squad (55)
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Jeronimo Rully, Juan Muso, Walter Benitez, Facundo Cambes, Santiago Beltran
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Christian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Taliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Marcos Senesi, Zyd Romero, Gabriel Rohas, Lautaro de Lollo, Fakundo Medina, others
Midfielders: Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, Alexis MacAlastair, Giovanni Lo Celso, Ezekuel Fernandez, Ezekuel Palacios, Guido Rodriguez, Nicolas Dominguez, Valentin Barko, and a few young faces
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Alejandro Garnacho, Thiago Almada, Matias Sule, Claudio Echeveri, Franco Mastantuono, Gianluca Prestianni, Santiago Castro, others
Analysts believe that Argentina is on the verge of a strong squad. After the final team is announced, Scaloni’s World Cup plan will be made clear.