Recently, the Argentina national team officially announced the list of players called up for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers taking place in September, including a series of unfamiliar faces.
Recently, coach Lionel Scaloni has just announced the list of players called up by the Argentina national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia in September. This list not only marks the preparation for important matches but also clearly shows the intention to build a new generation for Argentine football, with many notable changes.
The biggest highlight of this list is the absence of Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old legend, who played a major role in the 2022 World Cup championship, will not recover from injury in time to participate in this series. That raises the question of whether Messi will return to the international field in the near future.
With Ángel Di María officially retiring from international football, the captaincy will be handed over to Nicolás Otamendi, one of the few remaining veterans in the squad. Rodrigo De Paul will take on the role of vice-captain, serving as Otamendi’s right-hand man on the pitch.
Another notable point is the return of goalkeepers Benítez and Musso. Unfortunately for Franco Armani, he is not on the list this time, which could mean that the 2024 Copa América will be his last tournament in the national team shirt.
The return of Benítez and Musso not only increases the competition in goal but is also a sign that Scaloni is experimenting and looking for safer options for the future.
This time, the list of players called up also includes many new names, faces that promise to make a difference in the future. These include Matías Soulé, Giuliano Simeone, and Taty Castellanos – young players who are expected to bring a breath of fresh air to the team.
In particular, the emergence of Equi Fernández after moving to play in Saudi Arabia was a big surprise. Fernández, with his potential and impressive form, is considered one of the brightest talents in Argentine football.
In addition, Marcos Acuña is also not on the list this time, which raises questions about the reason for his absence, although it could be due to injury or poor form.
Valentín Barco, a name no stranger to Argentine football fans, has been called up as a replacement. This choice shows Scaloni’s faith in young talent and his desire to refresh the squad. Also on the list this time, Lucas Martínez Quarta has not been called up despite having been selected for the Copa América before. Instead, Leonardo Balerdi is the trusted name.
Looking at Scaloni’s call-up list, one can clearly see the strategy of building a new generation, full of potential and prospects, for the journey to conquer the 2026 World Cup. This is not only a process of renewing the squad but also a thorough preparation for the future, ensuring that the Argentine national team will always maintain its strength and class in the international arena.
