Argentina have announced their preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup as the reigning world champions begin title defense on 17 June against Algeria in Group J.
The Albiceleste are once again among the favorites for the most coveted trophy in football as their brilliant run of form holds them in good stead too.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni is spoilt for choice in every department, his 55-man preliminary squad being packed to the rafters with world-class talents.
The GOAT Lionel Messi is obviously the most iconic name on the list, but other stars of their 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph like Lautaro Martinez, Rodrido De Paul, Emiliano Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister have made the cut too.
AS Roma star Paulo Dybala was perhaps the most shocking exclusion. The forward endured a poor spell in Serie A last season, scoring just two goals in 21 games as rumors of exit have started making the rounds too.
Dortmund loanee is also overlooked
Another player who failed to make the cut in the preliminary squad, was Aaron Anselmino. The 20-year-old hasn’t received a senior call-up yet and Scaloni has refused to change that.
Anselmino spent the first half of the 2025-26 season at Borussia Dortmund, making 10 appearances in all competitions of which six were in the Bundesliga.
He made an impressive debut on matchday two in their 3-0 win over Union Berlin, displaying excellent vision to make five clearances while competing valiantly for the ball, winning three ground duels.
Despite a lack of pre-season football before that, the young gun looked composed and unfazed by the occasion. It seemed like he was going to have a productive spell at the club, but then injuries struck.
A muscle injury kept him out for almost two months. Upon returning, Anselmino once again came back into the side and four appearances later, suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him once again.
His last appearance came against Union Berlin when the Argentine came off the bench to play the final 21 minutes of the clash as Chelsea recalled the youngster, only to send him on another loan to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
Continued injuries diminished his chances
New club, new surroundings, but same issues hampered Anselmino’s progress as the defender succumbed to two more bouts of hamstring injuries, limiting him to just 15 minutes of action in the league.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Lionel Scaloni didn’t pick him up, but it’s a real travesty that such a promising young player’s potential was hampered by a series of unfortunate injuries. But at 21, he will have many opportunities with the national team in the future should he keep himself fit and continue to hone his skills.
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