Argentina National Team Reveals 2026 World Cup Squad Without Dybala

Extended Squad of Argentina for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

According to Главком: Argentina's coaching staff has announced a preliminary 55-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with notable absences. Forward Paulo Dybala, who represented Argentina at the previous 2022 World Cup, has been left out of the list. In his place, the squad includes Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, who gained attention following a dispute with Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior. Vinícius accused the Argentine of racism, though the remark was homophobic in nature. This tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will see teams compete across multiple venues.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni must now cut the squad in half, as each nation is allowed only 26 players for the World Cup. Argentina has been drawn into Group J, where they will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Their opening match is scheduled for June 16 in Kansas City, USA, with the next two games taking place in Arlington, Texas.

Argentina's Full Squad

The extended roster includes the following goalkeepers:

• Emiliano Martínez
• Gerónimo Rulli
• Walter Benítez
• Juan Musso
• Facundo Cambeses
• Santiago Beltrán

Defenders called up are:

• Agustín Giay
• Nahuel Molina
• Gonzalo Montiel
• Germán Pezzella
• Nicolás Capaldo
• Kevin Mac Allister
• Lucas Martínez
• Marcos Senesi
• Lisandro Martínez
• Nicolás Otamendi
• Cristian Romero
• Leonardo Balerdi
• Lautaro Di Lollo
• Said Romero
• Facundo Medina
• Nicolás Tagliafico
• Marcos Acuña
• Gabriel Rojas

The midfielders selected are:

• Máximo Perrone
• Leandro Paredes
• Guido Rodríguez
• Aníbal Moreno
• Enzo Fernández
• Rodrigo De Paul
• Exequiel Palacios
• Alexis Mac Allister
• Giovani Lo Celso
• Nico Paz
• Nicolás Domínguez
• Milton Delgado
• Alan Varela
• Exequiel Fernández
• Emiliano Buendía
• Valentín Barco
• Thiago Almada
• Tomás Aranda

Forwards on the list include:

• Giuliano Simeone
• Julián Álvarez
• Nicolás González
• Alejandro Garnacho
• Lionel Messi
• Lautaro Martínez
• Santiago Castro
• Franco Mastantuono
• Gianluca Prestianni
• Claudio Echeverri
• Matías Soulé
• José Manuel López
• Mateo Pellegrino

In other news, it has been confirmed that Barcelona legend Rafael Márquez will take over as head coach of the Mexico national team after the 2026 World Cup. The appointment was announced by Duilio Davino, director of the Mexican Football Federation, who stated that a contract with Márquez is already in place. Additionally, Mexico plans to deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel for the World Cup.

The omission of Paulo Dybala from Argentina's extended squad has drawn attention, given his previous role as a key player. This could signal a shift in the team's strategic approach or new priorities under Lionel Scaloni. With the World Cup set to take place in the United States and Canada, ensuring the squad is in peak condition will be critical for success. The upcoming appointment of Rafael Márquez as Mexico's manager also highlights the regional focus on preparation for the tournament, potentially influencing competition dynamics.

As Argentina prepares for the upcoming World Cup, other national teams are also making significant changes. For instance, Mexico has recently appointed Rafael Márquez as their head coach, aiming to strengthen their squad for future tournaments, including the 2030 World Cup. This move reflects the ongoing evolution within international football as nations seek to optimize their performance on the global stage.