Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina's preliminary 55-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. The announcement marks a step towards his potential participation in the title defense after winning in 2022.
Key points
Lionel Messi named in Argentina's preliminary World Cup roster
55-man list submitted to FIFA by manager Lionel Scaloni
Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup
Current club is Inter Miami
Participation in 2026 World Cup remains unconfirmed
Mentioned in this story
Lionel MessiArgentinaFIFAInter Miami
Lionel Messi headlines Argentina preliminary World Cup roster as title defense begins
Another hurdle was cleared for Lionel Messi to take part in the 2026 World Cup, with the superstar attacker named to Argentina's preliminary World Cup roster.
Argentina announced Monday, May 11, that manager Lionel Scaloni sent a 55-man list to FIFA with Messi's name included on the squad.
The 38-year-old is yet to confirm that he'll take part in Argentina's title defense after leading the Albiceleste to the top prize in the 2022 edition. But he is widely expected to participate in the tournament that will take place in North America, where he currently plays his club soccer with Inter Miami.
Mar. 18, 2026: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon #3 of Inter Miami CF after scoring his team's first goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, scored his 900th goal for club and country in Inter MiamiÕs match against Nashville SC.
Q&A
What is the significance of Messi being included in Argentina's World Cup roster?
Messi's inclusion indicates his potential participation in the 2026 World Cup, crucial for Argentina's title defense.
When was Argentina's preliminary World Cup roster announced?
Argentina announced the preliminary World Cup roster on May 11.
Who is the manager of the Argentina national team?
The manager of the Argentina national team is Lionel Scaloni.
Where will the 2026 World Cup take place?
The 2026 World Cup will take place in North America.
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Dec. 6, 2025: Lionel Messi lifts the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after Inter Miami's win in 2025 MLS Cup. Messi was named the game's MVP in the 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Nov. 29, 2025:Lionel Messi and Tomas Aviles celebrate with the trophy after winning the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC at Chase Stadium on in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Nov. 8, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Nashville SC during a first-round playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami prevailed, 4-0, in Game 3 of the best-of-three series to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Nov. 5, 2025: Lionel Messi holds the "key to the city" that he received from Miami mayor Francis Suarez at the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Oct. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal off a header against Nashville SC during the first half of a Round 1 playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami won the first game of a best-of-three series, 3-1.
Oct. 24, 2025: MLS commissioner Don Garber presents the league's Golden Boot award for the most goals scored during the regular season to Lionel Messi before a playoff game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi led MLS with 29 goals scored during the 2025 season.
Sept. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against New York City FC at Citi Field. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-0 win.
July 5, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with his Inter Miami teammate after scoring a goal against CF Montreal during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Messi had two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win.
June 29, 2025: Lionel Messi is consoled by Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during Inter Miami's 4-0 loss to PSG in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
May 31, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 5-1 win.
May 3, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez (9) after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-1.
April 9, 2025: Lionel Messi scores against Los Angeles FC during the first half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored twice in the game as Inter Miami went on to defeat LAFC, 3-2 on aggregate, in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.
March 16, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Atlanta United during Inter Miami's 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Feb. 22, 2025: Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the MLS season-opening weekend match against New York City FC at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami tied NYCFC, 2-2, in the game.
Nov. 9, 2024: Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after Inter Miami's first-round playoff loss to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium.
Oct. 2, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Crew during the first half at Lower.com Field. Messi scored twice in Inter Miami's 3-2 win, which clinched the MLS Supporters' Shield.
Sept. 14, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal scored against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the 3-1 Inter Miami win.
April 27, 2024: Lionel Messi attempts a corner kick against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win. A crowd of 65,612 showed up at Gillette Stadium, setting a New England Revolution home attendance record (previous high: 61,316 for 2002 MLS Cup).
April 20, 2024: Lionel Messi shakes hands with the officials after the game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 3-1 win.
April 6, 2024: Lionel Messi and the Colorado Rapids' Kimani Stewart-Baynes (27) battle for the ball during the second half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored a goal for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw.
March 13, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates with Luis Suarez after scoring a goal against Nashville SC during the second leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match. Inter Miami won the game, 3-1, and advanced on aggregate 5-3, to the quarterfinals.
March 2, 2024: Lionel Messi talks to the media after Inter Miami's 5-0 win against Orlando City at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the win.
Feb. 25, 2024: Lionel Messi scores an equalizing goal past Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Messi's goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Inter Miami on the road in Carson, California.
Feb. 21, 2024: Lionel Messi reacts after a 2-0 season-opening win over Real Salt Lake at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Nov. 10, 2023: Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or trophy before Inter Miami's friendly against New York City at DRV PNK Stadium.
Sept. 20, 2023: Lionel Messi places the captains armband on defender DeAndre Yedlin after being subbed off during the first half of Inter Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
Sept. 3, 2023: Lionel Messi and Los Angeles FC's Mateusz Bogusz (19) battle for the ball during the second half of Inter Miami's 3-1 win at BMO Stadium.
Aug. 30, 2023: Inter Miami's DeAndre Yedlin (2) and Lionel Messi hoist the Leagues Cup trophy before the game against Nashville SC at DRV PNK Stadium.
Aug. 26, 2023: Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls with teammate Benjamin Cremaschi (30) during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Inter Miami won, 2-0, in what was Messi's first MLS regular-season game.
Aug. 23, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates with Facundo Farias (11) after defeating FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium.
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi during the trophy ceremony for the Leagues Cup Championship match.
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi waves after winning the Leagues Cup final against Nashville.
Aug. 15, 2023: Messi reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia Union. Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup semifinal, 4-1.
Aug. 11, 2023: Messi celebrates after scoring against Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Aug. 6, 2023: Lionel Messi scores in penalty kicks against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 knockout game.
Aug. 6, 2023: Messi celebrates a goal against FC Dallas with teammate Jordi Alba.
Aug. 2, 2023: Lionel Messi scores a goal past Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the Leagues Cup.
July 25, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Atlanta United during the Leagues Cup.
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a game-winning goal against Cruz Azul during the Leagues Cup opener.
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Mar. 18, 2026: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon #3 of Inter Miami CF after scoring his team's first goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, scored his 900th goal for club and country in Inter MiamiÕs match against Nashville SC.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Mar. 18, 2026: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon #3 of Inter Miami CF after scoring his team's first goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, scored his 900th goal for club and country in Inter MiamiÕs match against Nashville SC.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Dec. 6, 2025: Lionel Messi lifts the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after Inter Miami's win in 2025 MLS Cup. Messi was named the game's MVP in the 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 29, 2025:Lionel Messi and Tomas Aviles celebrate with the trophy after winning the Eastern Conference final against New York City FC at Chase Stadium on in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 8, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Nashville SC during a first-round playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami prevailed, 4-0, in Game 3 of the best-of-three series to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 5, 2025: Lionel Messi holds the "key to the city" that he received from Miami mayor Francis Suarez at the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Oct. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal off a header against Nashville SC during the first half of a Round 1 playoff game at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals as Inter Miami won the first game of a best-of-three series, 3-1.
7 / 43
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Oct. 24, 2025: MLS commissioner Don Garber presents the league's Golden Boot award for the most goals scored during the regular season to Lionel Messi before a playoff game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi led MLS with 29 goals scored during the 2025 season.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 24, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against New York City FC at Citi Field. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-0 win.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 5, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with his Inter Miami teammate after scoring a goal against CF Montreal during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Messi had two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
June 29, 2025: Lionel Messi is consoled by Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during Inter Miami's 4-0 loss to PSG in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
May 31, 2025: Lionel Messi scores a goal against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 5-1 win.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
May 3, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates with Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez (9) after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-1.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 9, 2025: Lionel Messi scores against Los Angeles FC during the first half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored twice in the game as Inter Miami went on to defeat LAFC, 3-2 on aggregate, in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 16, 2025: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Atlanta United during Inter Miami's 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Feb. 22, 2025: Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the MLS season-opening weekend match against New York City FC at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami tied NYCFC, 2-2, in the game.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 9, 2024: Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after Inter Miami's first-round playoff loss to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Oct. 2, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Crew during the first half at Lower.com Field. Messi scored twice in Inter Miami's 3-2 win, which clinched the MLS Supporters' Shield.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 14, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal scored against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the 3-1 Inter Miami win.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 27, 2024: Lionel Messi attempts a corner kick against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 4-1 win. A crowd of 65,612 showed up at Gillette Stadium, setting a New England Revolution home attendance record (previous high: 61,316 for 2002 MLS Cup).
20 / 43
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 20, 2024: Lionel Messi shakes hands with the officials after the game against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami's 3-1 win.
21 / 43
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
April 6, 2024: Lionel Messi and the Colorado Rapids' Kimani Stewart-Baynes (27) battle for the ball during the second half at Chase Stadium. Messi scored a goal for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 13, 2024: Lionel Messi celebrates with Luis Suarez after scoring a goal against Nashville SC during the second leg of a Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match. Inter Miami won the game, 3-1, and advanced on aggregate 5-3, to the quarterfinals.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
March 2, 2024: Lionel Messi talks to the media after Inter Miami's 5-0 win against Orlando City at Chase Stadium. Messi scored two goals in the win.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Feb. 25, 2024: Lionel Messi scores an equalizing goal past Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Messi's goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Inter Miami on the road in Carson, California.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Feb. 21, 2024: Lionel Messi reacts after a 2-0 season-opening win over Real Salt Lake at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Nov. 10, 2023: Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or trophy before Inter Miami's friendly against New York City at DRV PNK Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 20, 2023: Lionel Messi places the captains armband on defender DeAndre Yedlin after being subbed off during the first half of Inter Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
28 / 43
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Sept. 3, 2023: Lionel Messi and Los Angeles FC's Mateusz Bogusz (19) battle for the ball during the second half of Inter Miami's 3-1 win at BMO Stadium.
29 / 43
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 30, 2023: Inter Miami's DeAndre Yedlin (2) and Lionel Messi hoist the Leagues Cup trophy before the game against Nashville SC at DRV PNK Stadium.
30 / 43
Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 26, 2023: Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls with teammate Benjamin Cremaschi (30) during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Inter Miami won, 2-0, in what was Messi's first MLS regular-season game.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 23, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates with Facundo Farias (11) after defeating FC Cincinnati in penalty kicks in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi during the trophy ceremony for the Leagues Cup Championship match.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 19, 2023: Messi waves after winning the Leagues Cup final against Nashville.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 15, 2023: Messi reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia Union. Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup semifinal, 4-1.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 11, 2023: Messi celebrates after scoring against Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 6, 2023: Lionel Messi scores in penalty kicks against FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 knockout game.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 6, 2023: Messi celebrates a goal against FC Dallas with teammate Jordi Alba.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
Aug. 2, 2023: Lionel Messi scores a goal past Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the Leagues Cup.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 25, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Atlanta United during the Leagues Cup.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a game-winning goal against Cruz Azul during the Leagues Cup opener.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 21, 2023: Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star's tenure with Inter Miami
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi was introduced as a Miami player at an event at DRV PNK Stadium.
While teams are not under any obligation to publish their provisional roster, Argentina announced its list to the public. Teams also are allowed to use up to 60 slots, meaning Scaloni opted to leave five places blank.
The manager has said he hopes to have Messi in the fold but can't force a player to do anything he doesn't want to do.
"It’s a question that’s more for him, but for my part you already know what I think," he said at a news conference in March. "I’ll do everything possible for him to be there."
Who joins Messi on Argentina's preliminary World Cup roster?
The Velez Sarsfield product has only suited up for the Argentina senior team once, facing Angola in November, but helped the U-20 squad to a second-place finish in last year's U-20 World Cup.
Many familiar faces from the 2022 squad return. Goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, final penalty converter Gonzalo Montiel and Messi's Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul are among the returnees from that team. Montiel is one of 11 players on the list currently playing in Argentina's domestic league and one of five on the River Plate roster.