Argentina has announced a 32-player preliminary squad for its World Cup preparations, although the final roster will include only 26 players as required by tournament rules. Coach Lionel Scaloni plans to use the extended group for training and friendly matches before the competition begins in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on June 11, 2026. The final squad will be revealed on the same day the submission deadline ends, with additional players kept on standby.

The decision stems from Argentina’s experience before the 2022 World Cup, when injuries to Joaquín Correa and Nicolás González forced late changes. To avoid similar disruptions, Scaloni and his staff are preparing backup options early. Among the six extra players are Santiago Beltrán, Joaquín Freitas, Tomás Aranda, Simón Escobar, Ignacio Ovando, and Nicolás Capaldo, with Agustín Giay also under consideration as a potential replacement for injured defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina.

Argentina will set up its base camp in Kansas on June 7 and play two friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before beginning its World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 17.