Lionel Scaloni has officially released Argentina’s 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, delivering a major shock by excluding Paulo Dybala.
While the 2022 world champion is out, Lionel Messi headlines the list, paving the way for a record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance.
The preliminary roster will eventually be trimmed to 26 players. However, Dybala is not the only veteran missing; five other 2022 heroes have been left out, including Franco Armani, Papu Gomez, Angel Correa, and the injured Juan Foyth.
The Decline of an Icon: Why Dybala Was Dropped by Scaloni
The 32-year-old’s omission stems from a significant dip in form with AS Roma this season. His struggling performances led the Italian club to opt against renewing his contract.
Consequently, Dybala is expected to return to Argentina this summer, having reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Boca Juniors on a free transfer in July.
Messi Names Top Contenders for 2026 World Cup
The “Core 22”: Argentina’s Confirmed Stars for the Title Defense
Reports suggest Scaloni has already finalized 22 of the 26 final spots. The core group includes:
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Goalkeepers/Defense: E. Martinez, Rulli, Molina, Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, L. Martinez, Balerdi, Tagliafico.
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Midfield: De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Palacios, Almada, Nico Paz.
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Attack: Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Simeone, Jose Lopez, Nicolas Gonzalez.
The final four spots will be decided within the next two weeks. Argentina will face Honduras in a friendly on June 7, before opening their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 17 in a group that also features Jordan and Austria.
