Argentina to call up over 30 players for pre-World Cup friendlies; Few names reportedly confirmed

Debutants Santiago Beltrán and Joaquín Freitas are expected to be called up!

As the preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its final stages, the defending champions Argentina will have high expectations on them. The final squad is expected to be announced on 28-29 May

While the team is yet to announce the final World Cup squad, Lionel Scaloni is set to announce his squad for friendlies against Honduras and Iceland very soon.

The Argentine manager will be taking more than 26 players for these friendlies to be training partners for the main squad. The list has seen the inclusion of several players from Argentine giants River Plate and Boca Juniors. Two of the most notable additions were Santiago Beltrán and Joaquín Freitas. Santiago is currently fighting for a place in the main squad after an impressive season with River Plate, keeping ten clean sheets across 25 appearances.

Joaquín Freitas is also a surprising pick as the player was not included in the preliminary list submitted by Lionel Scaloni to AFA. Freitas has an incredible season with River Plate after rising through the ranks of the club’s academy.

While star man, Lionel Messi, had to leave the field yesterday, Sunday, May 24, during the match against Philadelphia Union, due to physical discomfort.

After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. So he should be fit for the World Cup.

Argentina’s predicted squad for pre-World Cup friendlies

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez, Facundo Cambeses

Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Leonardo Balerdi, Marcos Senesi, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Facundo Medina, Kevin Mac Allister

Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Paz, Valentín Barco, Equi Fernández, Alan Varela

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás González, Alejandro Garnacho, Thiago Almada, Matías Soulé, Franco Mastantuono

Training Partners: Santiago Beltrán, Ignacio Ovando, Simón Escobar, Nicolás Capaldo, Tomás Aranda, Joaquín Freitas

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.