Argentina unveil preliminary 55-player squad for 2026 World Cup as Di Maria excluded
Despite retaining key 2022 winners, the omission of Angel Di Maria marks a significant shift in the national team's composition ahead of the global showcase.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially released a preliminary roster comprising 55 players for the 2026 World Cup. The announcement, issued on Monday, 11 May, establishes a broad selection pool that will eventually be whittled down to the final 26-man squad. The list is headlined by three of the nation's most prominent figures: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Julian Alvarez.
While the squad retains several key winners from the 2022 tournament, the composition has shifted notably regarding veteran presence. Angel Di Maria, the only player from the 2022 World Cup final squad still active, is absent from this preliminary list. The AFA has not provided a specific rationale for the exclusion, though the roster reflects a transition in leadership as the team prepares for the next iteration of the global competition.
Among the notable inclusions are Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool, Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea, Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa, and Nico Paz of Como. These players, alongside the established trio of Messi, Martinez, and Alvarez, form the core of the selection. Messi, now 38, brings a wealth of experience to the fold, having secured the Golden Ball at the 2022 World Cup and holding the record for most World Cup appearances with 26.
The national team currently sits third in the FIFA world rankings, positioning them as one of the top five favourites to lift the trophy. However, the path to victory remains competitive. Spain is currently identified as the number one favourite to win the tournament, with France, England, and Brazil also competing for a place among the elite contenders.
Looking ahead, the squad will begin its campaign with a friendly match against Honduras on 6 June in College Station, Texas. The official tournament action is set to commence on 16 June in Kansas City, Missouri, where Argentina will face Algeria in the Group J opener.
