Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named a 33-man preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, with Lionel Messi headlining the selection. The squad features a blend of experienced stars and promising young talent, reflecting a potential shift towards the future.
Among the notable inclusions are several young players. Striker Claudio Echeverri, who recently joined Manchester City after playing in the South American Under-20 championships, is called up. Nicolas Paz, Benjamin Dominguez, and Santiago Castro, all under the age of 21, also received call ups.
Argentina currently leads the South American qualifying standings with 25 points from 12 matches. They face a challenging schedule, traveling to Montevideo to play Uruguay (20 points) at the Centenario Stadium on March 21st, followed by a home match against Brazil at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on March 25th.
The full squad list includes:
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Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martรญnez (Aston Villa), Gerรณnimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Walter Benรญtez (PSV Eindhoven)
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Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germรกn Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolรกs Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Lens), Nicolรกs Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Francisco Ortega (Olympiakos).
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Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Enzo Fernรกndez (Chelsea), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Mรกximo Perrone (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Benjamรญn Domรญnguez (Bologna), Thiago Almada (Olympique Lyon).
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Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolรกs Gonzรกlez (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolรกs Paz (Como), Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Juliรกn รlvarez (Manchester City), Lautaro Martรญnez (Inter Milan), Santiago Castro (Bologna), รngel Correa (Atletico Madrid).
The squad selection indicates Scaloni’s intention to blend established stars with emerging talent as Argentina aims to solidify their position at the top of the qualifying group and continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
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