World champions Argentina have already secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even with two rounds of qualifiers still remaining. Ahead of the final fixtures in September, head coach Lionel Scaloni has announced the provisional squad. While Lionel Messi makes his return from injury, several familiar names – including Enzo Fernández – have been left out.
Upcoming Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| 5 September 2025 | Venezuela | Home (Argentina) |
| 10 September 2025 | Ecuador | Away (Quito) |
Key Absentees
- Enzo Fernández – suspended following a red card against Colombia in June. As he is banned for one match, Scaloni opted not to include him in the squad.
- Paulo Dybala – excluded due to injury.
- Nicolás Domínguez – sidelined with injury.
- Other omissions – Valentín Barco, Enzo Barrenechea, Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Castellanos.
New Faces in the Squad
Several young talents have been handed opportunities, reflecting Scaloni’s focus on the future:
| Player | Age | Club | Position | Note |
| Claudio Echeverri | 19 | Manchester City | Attacking Midfielder | First senior call-up |
| Franco Mastantuono | 18 | Real Madrid | Midfielder | Recently signed |
| José Manuel López | 23 | Palmeiras | Striker | First senior call-up |
Messi’s Return and Possible Farewell
The inclusion of Lionel Messi has brought relief to Argentine fans, particularly after his recent muscle injury while playing for Inter Miami raised concerns about his availability.
There is speculation that the Venezuela match on 5 September could be his final international game on home soil. Regardless, Messi is expected to play a key role as the Albiceleste prepare for future competitions.
Argentina’s Current Standing in South American Qualifiers
| Team | Matches Played | Points | Position |
| Argentina | 16 | 35 | 1st |
With qualification already secured, Scaloni is using the remaining fixtures to experiment with new talents while also keeping his experienced core.
Argentina’s Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Walter Benítez
Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Julio Soler, Gonzalo Montiel
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Paz, Exequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Valentín Carboni, Alan Varela, Alexis Mac Allister
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás González, Giuliano Simeone, Ángel Correa, José Manuel López
