Just weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina's national football team unveiled an expanded preliminary squad of 55 players on Monday to defend their world title. Coach Lionel Scaloni submitted a list to FIFA marked by the expected inclusion of Lionel Messi, but also by a notable absence that has already sparked considerable debate: that of De Dybala.

At 38, the Argentinian captain, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, is indeed among the players selected despite questions surrounding his participation in the tournament. The former FC Barcelona star, who will turn 39 during the competition, could thus be playing in what looks like his final World Cup.

Several players currently playing in Ligue 1 also appear in this preliminary squad. World champion in 2022, Nicolás Tagliafico retains the confidence of the Argentinian coaching staff despite a difficult season with Olympique Lyonnais. Marseille players Gerónimo Rulli, Leonardo Balerdi, and Facundo Medina are also included in this extended list, as is Valentín Barco, the young Strasbourg defender, who could be making his World Cup debut.

Argentina will begin their title defense against Algeria on June 17. Before that, the Albiceleste will play two preparation matches against Honduras on June 7 and Iceland on June 10.

This initial list from Lionel Scaloni is still expected to change before the final announcement of the players selected for the world event organized in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Goalkeepers : Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (OM), Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid), Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club), Santiago Beltran (River Plate)

Defenders: Agustin Giay (Palmeiras), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid), Nicolas Capaldo (Hamburg), Kevin Mac Allister (Union Saint-Gilloise), Lucas Martinez Quarta (River Plate), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (OM), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Lautaro Di Lollo (Boca Juniors), Zaid Romero (Getafe), Facundo Medina (OM), Marcos Acuna (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (OL), 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), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis), Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham Forest), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg)

Forwards : Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid), Tomas Aranda (Boca Juniors), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atlético de Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid), Matias Soule (Roma), Claudio Echeverri (Girona), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Santiago Castro (Bologna), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Julian Alvarez (Atlético de Madrid), Mateo Pellegrino (Parma)