Argentina Name 55-Man Provisional World Cup Squad: Dybala Out, Messi In
Defending champions Argentina have submitted a 55-player preliminary list to FIFA. Lionel Scaloni's pool covers six goalkeepers, 18 defenders, 15 midfielders and 16 forwards. The most notable absence is Roma striker Paulo Dybala. Argentina open Group J at the 2026 World Cup against Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
A rgentina have named a 55-man provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the maximum size allowed under FIFA's preliminary-list rule. The defending champions submitted the longlist to FIFA ahead of the May 11 deadline, and Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff made the names public on Wednesday. The final 26-man roster must be locked in by June 1 and confirmed by FIFA on June 2.
The most notable omission from the pool is Paulo Dybala, the Roma forward who has not featured for the national team since the latter stages of the post-Qatar cycle. Every other senior leader from the 2022 title-winning side is present, headed by captain Lionel Messi and supported by Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Scaloni uses the full 55-slot allowance
Scaloni used the full 55-slot allowance to keep options open across every line. The six goalkeepers are Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez, Facundo Cambeses and Santiago Beltrán. The defence runs 18 deep and blends veterans Otamendi, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico and Acuña with younger profiles including Zaid Romero, Lautaro Di Lollo and Facundo Medina. The midfield list of 15 stretches from De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister and Paredes through to Valentín Barco and Milton Delgado.
Sixteen forwards mix veterans and youth
The 16 forwards is where Scaloni leaves himself the most flexibility. Alongside Messi, Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Garnacho sit emerging names Franco Mastantuono, Claudio Echeverri, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz and Matías Soulé, plus Real Madrid loanee profile Thiago Almada and Inter's José Manuel López. The pool reflects the depth Scaloni has accumulated since lifting the trophy in Qatar and gives him scope to cut down to a final 26 that balances tournament experience with the next generation.
Group J opens the title defence
Argentina are drawn in Group J at the 48-team finals and will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the first round. The route to a title defence runs through the new round of 32 introduced for 2026, then the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup on penalties against France in Doha after a 3-3 draw across 120 minutes, sealing the country's third World Cup title after 1978 and 1986.