Argentina squad announced in an innovative way with Messi

Defending champions Argentina have become the first Latin American team to officially qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although there are still four matches left in the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, Argentina’s consistent performance at the top of the points table has ensured their place at the global tournament. As the June FIFA window approaches, with each South American team scheduled to play two more qualifiers, Argentina have taken a fresh and emotional approach in announcing their 28-member preliminary squad for the upcoming matches.

In an innovative move, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) chose to unveil the squad through the citizens of Bahia Blanca, a port city in Argentina that was recently hit by devastating floods. In March, at least 16 people died and over 1,200 residents were displaced due to the natural disaster. As a tribute to the resilience and spirit of the city, people of various ages and professions from Bahia Blanca took part in the announcement of the national squad. The heartfelt gesture not only honored those affected but also brought a strong emotional connection between the national team and its supporters.

This strategy of including everyday citizens in such major announcements has been seen before in other sports, especially in cricket, but it is relatively new in football. Argentina’s use of it reflects their commitment to uniting the country behind the team ahead of the World Cup. While the announced 28-man squad is preliminary, some players are expected to be excluded from the final lineup, which will be confirmed closer to the match dates.

Under coach Lionel Scaloni, Argentina will face Chile and Colombia in the upcoming qualifiers. These matches are scheduled for June 6 and June 11. The first match will be held at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez in Chile, while the second will take place at Argentina’s home ground, Estadio Más Monumental, in Buenos Aires. The return of Lionel Messi to the national team is a significant highlight, as he missed the previous international window due to an adductor muscle injury. Despite his absence, Argentina still managed to secure impressive wins over Uruguay and Brazil, with forwards Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martinez stepping up in his place.

Among the surprising selections in the preliminary squad are young talents Mariano Troilo and Franco Mastantuyano, both of whom play for local Argentine clubs. Their inclusion hints at Scaloni’s interest in nurturing new talent and testing depth ahead of the tournament. Additionally, Kevin Lomonaco, another promising player, has also been given a chance in the starting lineup. Valencia midfielder Enzo Barenchier, who has previously been called up but has yet to debut, is also part of this extended group.

Some familiar faces, however, are missing due to injuries or form concerns. Nicolas Domingos and Alexis Mac Allister are ruled out due to injury, while Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Castellanos have been left out. This creates opportunities for the new names to shine and potentially earn a place in the final squad for the qualifiers.

Argentina's full preliminary squad includes key players such as Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez, alongside the returning Lionel Messi. With the core of their World Cup-winning side intact and new talent emerging, Argentina looks set to maintain their dominance in South American football and prepare thoroughly for the 2026 World Cup.