Lionel Messi is included in Argentina’s preliminary World Cup squad, with Lionel Scaloni selecting a 55-player list. The Argentina captain has not yet formally confirmed participation at the 2026 tournament, yet remains central to plans as Argentina prepare the defence of the title won in Qatar in 2022.
The extended group features several Europe-based players, including Cristian Romero from Tottenham, Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea and Nico Paz from Como. Romero has already been ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season, but still appears in Scaloni’s long squad as Argentina monitor fitness options ahead of the final cut.
Messi holds the overall World Cup appearance record, having played 26 matches at the tournament. During Argentina’s victorious 2022 campaign in Qatar, Messi and Kylian Mbappe each reached 10 direct goal contributions, the first players to hit that mark at a World Cup since Diego Maradona achieved the feat during Mexico 1986.
Across World Cup history, Messi is the only player to receive the Golden Ball twice, in 2014 and 2022. The 2022 tournament also saw Messi become the first player on record, since 1966, to both score and assist in three separate matches within a single World Cup edition.
One notable omission is Roma forward Paulo Dybala, who has not featured for Argentina since 2024. Dybala owns 40 caps and converted a penalty in the shoot-out victory against France during the 2022 final, yet does not appear in Scaloni’s current 55-player shortlist for the World Cup.
Story first published: Monday, May 11, 2026, 23:27 [IST]
About the Author
