News Focus
- Lionel Messi, aged 38, will captain the defending champions at the tournament
- Three players from German clubs selected: Palacios, Fernández and Capaldo
- Ángel Di María is the only absentee from the 2022 final starting eleven against France
- The preliminary group will be cut to a maximum of 26 players before the competition begins
Argentina have announced their provisional 55-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. Head coach Lionel Scaloni will lead the defending champions’ title defence, with veteran forward Lionel Messi included in the extensive preliminary list.
The selection features three footballers currently competing in Germany. Bayer Leverkusen pair Exequiel Palacios and Ezequiel Fernández have both received call-ups, alongside Hamburger SV midfielder Nicolás Capaldo.
Scaloni has retained every starter from the dramatic 2022 final penalty shootout victory over France, except for one notable omission. Winger Ángel Di María, who retired from international duty following last year’s Copa América triumph, is the only player missing from that historic starting lineup.
The South American giants must now reduce their squad significantly. The coaching staff will trim the current 55 candidates down to a final party of 26 players or fewer before the tournament kicks off.