Preliminary Argentina Squad Announced for June World Cup Qualifiers

Lionel Scaloni has unveiled his preliminary list of Argentine players based abroad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifying double header in June. The list includes several key stars, fresh talents, and some surprise inclusions as La Albiceleste continues its road to defend the World Cup title.

🧤 Goalkeepers:

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)
Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven)

🛡️ Defenders:

Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid)
Juan Foyth (Villarreal)
Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)
Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
Facundo Medina (RC Lens)
Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais)
Valentín Barco (Strasbourg)

⚙️ Midfielders:

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Leandro Paredes (AS Roma)
Nicolás Domínguez (Nottingham Forest)
Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético de Madrid)
Thiago Almada (Olympique Lyonnais)
Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Nicolás Paz (Como 1907)

⚔️ Forwards:

Julián Álvarez (Manchester City)
Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
Valentín Castellanos (Lazio)
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
Nicolás González (Juventus)
Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)
Ángel Correa (Atlético de Madrid)

🔍 Notable Takeaways:

Lionel Messi remains a central figure, despite now playing in MLS with Inter Miami.
Young talents like Nicolás Paz, Valentín Barco, and Giuliano Simeone (son of Diego Simeone) are included, showing Scaloni’s eye on the future.
Garnacho, Castellanos, and Álvarez bolster a young and dynamic attacking line.
Strong Premier League presence with Mac Allister, Romero, Enzo, and others.

🧠 Coach:

Lionel Scaloni continues to mix experience and youth as Argentina seeks to maintain dominance in CONMEBOL and prepare for a competitive 2026 World Cup campaign.