Scaloni reveals why Paulo Dybala was left out of Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

Paolo Dybala misses World Cup call-up despite a strong season

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears its inaugural match, every team, from favourites to debutants, has announced their final squads, with some picks being questioned by fans and analysts worldwide.

The Argentina national team, led by Lionel Messi, will be looking to make an impact in the tournament. Coming into the tournament as defending champions, Argentina are considered to be one of the favourites, and are aiming to defend their title, to become the second side to achieve the feat. The team will begin their campaign against Algeria on June 17.

With manager Lionel Scaloni announcing the final squad for the tournament, one of the notable misses was Paolo Dybala. He had an excellent season with AS Roma, registering 11 G/A in 27 appearances.

Though Dybala had a minimal role in the squad, he was one of the four players to convert the penalty against France to guide Argentina to the World Cup victory.

Scaloni reveals the reason for leaving out Paulo Dybala

“Paulo, it goes without saying that he is a great player. He has come back in an exceptional way with his team, they have qualified for the Champions League with a very strong showing from him. But this is how it always is: young players emerge who contribute, there are players who have consolidated themselves in that position, they deserve an opportunity, and we have made the decision to include other players.”

Speaking to DSports, manager Lionel Scaloni directly clarified his decision. He addressed Dybala’s incredible season and how instrumental the player has been. However, the exclusion from the roster was undertaken to provide more opportunities.

Players like Nico Paz, who had a better season than Dybala, were given priority consideration. This also aligns with Scaloni’s decision to build a young core, with players like Barco and Almada being heavily promoted by the manager.

The decision not to consider Dybala has been influenced by his poor injury record. He suffered a major knee injury, requiring surgery, having significant impact on his fitness. Dybala has only been able to make two full 90-minute appearances in 2026, affecting his selection to the national team.

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