Lionel Messi named in Argentina probable squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi was named in Argentina's preliminary squad for next month's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, the Argentine Football Association announced on Thursday.

The 37-year-old forward returns to international duty after missing the March doubleheader due to an adductor injury. Despite his absence, Argentina secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup with back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Brazil.

The defending champions will face Chile away on June 5 before hosting Colombia in Buenos Aires on June 10. Following the qualifiers, Messi is expected to return to club action with Inter Miami in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup. The MLS side will take on Egyptian club Al Ahly on June 14 in Miami.

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has also been included in the 28-man squad, having been left out of recent matches for tactical reasons. The 19-year-old's return comes at a time when head coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to rotate his squad with an eye on both experience and youth.

Scaloni will be without several key players for the clash against Chile. Defender Nicols Otamendi and midfielders Enzo Fernndez and Leandro Paredes are suspended but remain part of the squad and could return for the match against Colombia.

Paulo



Dybala and Gonzalo Montiel miss out due to injury, while defenders Marcos Acuna and Germn Pezzella were not picked.

Argentina, already assured of a place at the 2026 World Cup, will use the final rounds of qualification to fine-tune preparations ahead of this summer's Copa America and the long road to the title defence in North America.

ARGENTINA PRELIMINARY SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martnez (Aston Villa), Gernimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille and Walter Bentez (PSV).

Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atltico de Madrid), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Nicols Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Lens), Nicols Tagliafico (Lyon) and Valentn Barco (Strasbourg).

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Nicols Domnguez (Nottingham Forest), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo de Paul (Atltico de Madrid), Thiago Almada (Olympique de Lyon), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis), Enzo Fernndez (Chelsea) and Nicols Paz (Como).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julin Alvarez (Atltico de Madrid), Lautaro Martnez (Inter), Valentn Castellanos (Lazio), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicols Gonzlez (Fiorentina) Giuliano Simeone (Atltico de Madrid and ngel Correa (Atltico de Madrid).