Argentina name 55-man preliminary squad for 2026 World Cup; Messi participation unconfirmed
The national team faces a complex selection process for the co-hosted tournament, balancing the legacy of their 2022 title with disciplinary bans and player availability.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has released a 55-player preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the initial phase of selection for the final 26-man roster. The announcement, issued by the national team's coaching staff, confirms the inclusion of captain Lionel Messi among the 16 forwards listed for the campaign. This move addresses ongoing speculation regarding the 38-year-old's international future, although his actual participation remains officially unconfirmed.
Despite being named in the preliminary list, Messi has not yet provided a definitive commitment to represent the nation. Previous statements from the forward suggested his time at the elite level may be concluding, with comments indicating he is conscious of playing his final matches. Scaloni noted that there is sufficient time to make a final decision on the captain's future, a stance that leaves the national team in a state of limbo regarding their primary goal scorer.
The squad announcement also highlights a significant disciplinary issue involving forward Gianluca Prestianni. The 20-year-old has been named in the list despite facing a six-match ban imposed by FIFA, which was an extension of a penalty originally handed down by UEFA. The sanction stems from the use of homophobic slurs during a Champions League match and could prevent Prestianni from playing in Argentina's opening group fixtures.
Prestianni, who made his debut for the national team in November, has denied allegations of abusive language and claimed he was misunderstood. However, the governing body's decision stands, meaning the young forward is expected to miss at least the first two matches of the tournament. This situation adds a layer of complexity to the squad's tactical preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Argentina will begin their title defence against Algeria on 16 June in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of the tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The team's previous victory in Qatar in 2022, where Messi scored seven goals including the opening goal against France in the final, sets a high benchmark for this new cycle.
Teammates Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul have publicly expressed their desire for Messi to continue playing for the national side. De Paul stated that the team is at its best when the number 10 is on the pitch, reflecting the collective wish of the squad to retain their most celebrated player. The final decision on Messi's availability will likely be made as the qualification process concludes and the tournament approaches in July.
