Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho are among the 55 players named in Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary World Cup squad.
Prestianni, 20, is currently serving a six-match ban imposed by UEFA in April for homophobic conduct. The incident occurred during Benfica’s Champions League match against Real Madrid, where Vinicius Jr. accused Prestianni of racial abuse—an accusation Prestianni denied.
Last week, FIFA extended the ban globally, meaning Prestianni would miss Argentina’s first two World Cup games against Algeria and Austria if selected. Argentina’s third opponent in Group J is Jordan. Despite the ban, Scaloni has not ruled out Prestianni at this stage of pre-tournament preparations. Prestianni was a key figure in Argentina’s run to the Under-20 World Cup final in October and has only one senior cap.
Lionel Messi has also been included, although the Inter Miami captain has not yet confirmed his participation in the tournament.
**Are there any surprise omissions?**
Not really, but Scaloni has given himself plenty to ponder. Argentina needs to rejuvenate in several positions, and the 55-man list includes many first-time call-ups and young players dreaming of making the final 26-man squad. This list effectively marks the end of Paulo Dybala’s international career; he has not played for Argentina since 2024.
**Are there any surprise inclusions?**
Hamburg midfielder Nicolas Capuldo, a former Boca Juniors player, received his first call-up at age 27. Getafe defender Zaid Romero and Parma striker Mateo Pellegrino were also summoned for the first time under Scaloni. One unexpected selection is Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho. The 21-year-old has struggled at club level recently, but Scaloni has long valued his pace as an option off the bench. For now, Garnacho appears likely to be part of the World Cup squad.
**Are there any notable injury absentees?**
Only one: Strasbourg forward Joaquin Panichelli was left out as he recovers from an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee, suffered while on international duty with Argentina in March. Although he has only one senior appearance, Panichelli was considered an alternative to first-choice strikers Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.
**What is the one problem the manager needs to solve?**
Scaloni faces the challenge of making Messi effective at age 38. The Argentina captain has not officially confirmed his intention to play in his sixth World Cup, but it is widely expected. Scaloni and Messi acknowledge that Argentina can no longer depend so heavily on the former Barcelona star. Tactically, Argentina becomes a more direct and intense side when Messi is not at the forefront. How Scaloni shapes Argentina’s identity for the World Cup will be a major storyline.
**Who are their warm-up games against?**
Argentina will face Honduras on June 6 at Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field, followed by a match against Iceland at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium three days later.
**Argentina’s 55-man preliminary World Cup squad in full:**
Goalkeepers: Emili…