Defending champions Argentina have announced their final squad for the last two matches of their World Cup qualifiers. The first team from Latin America to secure a ticket to the tournament will face Venezuela and Ecuador in September. Coach Lionel Scaloni announced the preliminary squad on August 18. The Albiceleste have released the final squad, excluding two players.
Defender Facundo Medina and forward Angel Correa, who were in the starting line-up, have been left out of the main squad. However, Manuel Lopez, who received his first call-up to the national team, is finally in the squad. The decision to leave Medina out comes as a bit of a surprise. He was in Argentina’s starting XI last June, and could have been a substitute for Lisandro Martinez, who was out due to injury. However, he was forced to withdraw at the last minute. However, Scaloni will want to use the remaining options in the upcoming match.
Earlier, Lionel Messi returned to the preliminary squad after recovering from injury, but several familiar faces, including Enzo Fernandez, were left out. Enzo Fernandez was red-carded against Colombia in the last qualifier in June. As a result, he is naturally suspended for one match, so the Argentine coach did not call him up for the rest of the matches. In addition, Paulo Dybala was not called up due to his inability to recover from injury. Apart from this, Nicolas Dominguez (injury), Valentin Berco, Enzo Barenchia, Alejandro Garnacho and Valentina Castellanos were also left out of Argentina’s last qualifier squad.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s 19-year-old attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri, 18-year-old Franco Mastantuyano, who has now joined Real Madrid, and Palmeiras’ Argentine striker Jose Manuel Lopez have been called up for the first time. Apart from this, Messi has now returned to the Albiceleste squad. It is believed that the match against Venezuela could be his last international match on home soil.
The world champions have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Scaloni’s team is at the top of the 10-team South American points table with 35 points from 16 matches. Argentina will face Venezuela at home on September 4. The world champions will then play in Ecuador on September 9.
Argentina’s preliminary squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Jerónimo Rulli, Walter Benítez.
Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcus Acuna, Julio Soler, Gonzalo Montiel
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Paz, Ezaquel Palacios, Rodrigo de Paul, Thiago Almada, Giovanni Lo Celso, Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuino, Valentin Carboni, Alan Varela, Alexis Mc-Allister.
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Guiliano Simeone, Jose Manuel Lopez.
FAQ
Who announced Argentina’s final squad for the September World Cup qualifiers?
Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, announced the final squad.
Which teams will Argentina face in the September qualifiers?
Argentina will play against Venezuela on September 4 and Ecuador on September 9.
Who are the notable players left out of the final squad?
Facundo Medina and Ángel Correa were dropped from the final squad.
Which new players have been included in the Argentina squad?
Youngsters Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuano, and striker José Manuel López have been called up.
