2022 World Cup winners missing from Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

Prominent stars like Ángel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala are out of the World Cup squad!

FIFA World Cup has maintained its position as the biggest footballing event in world football. The latest edition, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is gearing up for its grand return, keeping excitement at its peak.

Co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada, the competition will feature a record 48 teams, with a huge diversity of nations – from previous winners to debutants, competing for the prestigious title.

Amongst them is the Argentina national football team, a side considered as one of the tournament favourites. The Lionel Messi-led side, the defending champions, will have huge expectations upon them to reclaim the title, which will make them the third team to achieve the feat.

Manager Lionel Scaloni has announced the final 26-member squad for the World Cup. While some of the biggest talents like Valentín Barco and Nico Paz are getting the deserved call-ups, it has also seen certain players, who were part of the winning side in 2022, being left out to accommodate the new arrivals.

9. Franco Armani

The River Plate legend has established himself as one of the most experienced goalkeepers in Argentine football. For the national team, he has managed to make 19 appearances, maintaining seven clean sheets for the side. He did not make the squad for the newest edition as the player announced his retirement from the national team in September 2024.

Also Read: Argentina’s Full FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: Dates, kick-off times & venues

8. Joaquin Correa

The 31-year-old striker is currently with Brazilian outfit Botafogo. The former Inter Milan forward has managed 5 G/A in 12 appearances this season. Despite being named in the squad by the manager, he was forced to withdraw after suffering a finger injury. His decline in domestic form is said to be one of the key reasons for his omission from the squad.

7. German Pezzella

He currently plays as a rotational defender for Argentine giants River Plate. Pezzella served as a backup centre-back during the World Cup, with Scaloni using him as a tactical substitute late to close out tight matches and secure narrow leads. Pezzella, however, was left out, with manager preference shifting towards young defenders.

6. Alejandro Gomez

Alejandro Gomez served a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup victory, starting in the side’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia and the Round of 16 fixture against Australia, then missing the remainder of the tournament due to an ankle injury. His exclusion from the 2026 World Cup squad is said to be mainly influenced by a two-year ban for doping during his tenure in Sevilla.

5. Juan Foyth

Serving as a key player for LaLiga side Villarreal, Foyth had a very minimal role in the 2022 World Cup. The defender only made one appearance during the tournament, featuring as a late substitute in Argentina’s semi-final victory against Croatia. The defender was ruled out for the 2026 edition after suffering a devastating Achilles tendon rupture in January 2026, ruling him out for the remainder of the year.

4. Guido Rodriguez

The 32-year-old midfielder currently plays for LaLiga outfit Valencia, joining in January 2026. He had a minimal role in the 2022 World Cup, only featuring once, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 group stage victory against Mexico.

Despite being named in the preliminary squad, he was left out of the 2026 roster after falling out of favour in the national side, contributed to by his limited playing time since leaving Real Betis in 2024.

Also Read: Top five players left out of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft. Dybala & Mastantuono

3. Marcos Acuña

Marcos Acuña’s exclusion from the squad was considered to be one of the most surprising omissions for the World Cup. He had an instrumental role in the 2022 victory; he featured in six of seven matches for Argentina, even winning a crucial penalty for Argentina in the quarter-finals. His exemption came after suffering a hamstring injury right before the squad announcement, and his ongoing fitness issues.

2. Ángel Di María

Known as “El Fideo”, Di Maria is considered by many to be one of the greatest players to feature for the national team. He was one of the most-capped players in history, making 145 appearances.

He was the ultimate game changer in the tournament, especially in the final, scoring a brilliant goal and earning a penalty for the side before being substituted. He was not excluded from the squad, as the player had announced his retirement from the national team in 2024, to make way for younger talents.

1. Paulo Dybala

Dybala was one of the key exclusions from the World Cup squad, despite having a strong domestic season, registering 11 G/A in 22 appearances for Roma. The player, however, only played a limited role for the national team, featuring in limited matches.

Dybala was one of the four players to convert their penalty in the final to guide Argentina to the title. It is rumoured that the player was left out due to his fitness problems and to make way for more in-form talents like Nico Paz in the position.

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