Overview
- Scaloni included Lionel Messi in the 31-player provisional squad after his return to Inter Miami despite varying reports on his muscle-injury comfort level
- Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono, Manchester City’s Claudio Echeverri and other young talents earn call-ups as Argentina prioritizes squad assessment
- Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández will miss Sept. qualifiers due to a two-match suspension from a June red card
- FC Porto’s Alan Varela replaces Fernández in the preliminary squad to ensure midfield depth for the upcoming windows
- Argentina, already assured of a 2026 World Cup berth, will host Venezuela at the Monumental on Sept. 4 before travelling to Guayaquil on Sept. 9