Lionel Messi included as Scaloni names 55-man Argentina preliminary squad for World Cup ́
Lionel Scaloni has named a 55-man provisional Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup, including Lionel Messi and 10 players from the Premier League.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has named a 55-man provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi included among the longlist. The preliminary selection, published on 11 May 2026, also features 10 players who currently play in the Premier League.
Why it matters
A 55-man provisional squad is the first formal step toward finalising Argentina’s party for the 2026 World Cup. Including Lionel Messi in the longlist confirms his continued presence in Argentina’s plans for the tournament, while the large contingent of Premier League players highlights the competition’s influence on the national team selection.
What the provisional squad tells us so far
From the information supplied, two clear facts emerge: Lionel Messi is on the longlist and 10 Premier League players are included in the 55-man group. Beyond that, the supplied source metadata does not list names, positions, clubs, ages, or any comments from Scaloni or the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Those specifics will determine the balance of experience and youth in the final squad and will be important for assessing tactical options and squad depth.
Because the current information is limited to the report’s key headline points, a number of relevant questions remain unanswered: which Premier League players made the provisional list, which domestic or Europe-based players were included, how many goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards were named, and whether any notable absentees or surprise inclusions featured. Those details will shape analysis of Argentina’s World Cup readiness and squad selection dilemmas.
Key points
Context and implications (limited to supplied facts)
A 55-player preliminary squad is typically used by national teams to cast a wide net before trimming to the permitted tournament roster. With Messi on the list, Argentina retains the option to select their veteran superstar when finalising the squad. The presence of multiple Premier League players underlines the Premier League’s role as a talent pool for Argentina’s coach, though exact names and positions will determine tactical implications.
Because the source metadata does not include the detailed squad breakdown, it is not possible from the supplied facts to assess how Scaloni is balancing youth and experience, nor to evaluate potential selection battles or injury cover across positions. Verification against the full squad list or an official AFA release is required to expand analysis.
What happens next
From this provisional announcement, Argentina will be expected to reduce the squad to the official World Cup roster in the weeks to come, following FIFA and tournament deadlines. Fans and media will watch for the release of the full list of 55 names and subsequent trims that will reveal Scaloni’s final selection strategy. The supplied source does not state a timeline for cuts or provide dates for follow-up announcements.
Further reporting should confirm the full list of players named, identify the 10 Premier League players reported as being included, and obtain any comments from Scaloni or the AFA to explain selection decisions.