Top five youngsters left out of Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad ft. Alejandro Garnacho & Matías Soulé

Scaloni has announced his final 2026 World Cup roster!

On Thursday, manager Lionel Scaloni revealed Argentina’s final 26-man roster after trimming down the provisional roster. Among them are 17 players, including captain and record goalscorer Messi, who won the competition in Qatar in 2022.

Cristian Romero, star defender, and custodian Emiliano Martinez, who was crucial in the penalty shootout in the final against France, are two more key players from four years ago who are included this time.

Alejandro Garnacho and Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono are two youngsters who have missed out on the call-up.

List of youngsters left out of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

Rank	Player	Club
5	Facundo Buonanotte	Leeds United
4	Matías Soulé	AS Roma
3	Gianluca Prestianni	Benfica
2	Franco Mastantuono	Real Madrid
1	Alejandro Garnacho	Chelsea

5. Facundo Buonanotte

Argentina’s official 26-man World Cup team did not include Facundo Buonanotte. The Leeds United loanee was one of the key players left out as manager Lionel Scaloni chose to pick other midfielders and forwards.

The exclusion is a reflection of the intense competition within the Argentine team, as Scaloni and his coaching staff have preferred Nico Paz, Valentín Barco, and Giuliano Simeone for the forward and midfield positions.

Also Read: 2022 World Cup winners missing from Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

4. Matías Soulé

Matías Soulé was not selected for the final World Cup roster. Due to intense competition in his attacking position, the teenage forward was left out of Lionel Scaloni’s team despite playing well in Serie A with AS Roma.

Soulé is a left-footed winger who mostly plays on the right flank, which is where Lionel Messi and a number of other well-known players currently play. According to Scaloni, it is challenging for younger players in that position to break into the senior team because they don’t have many starting opportunities.

3. Gianluca Prestianni

Gianluca Prestianni’s worldwide suspension from FIFA for verbally insulting Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League encounter in February 2026 was the main reason he was kept off Argentina’s World Cup roster.

2. Franco Mastantuono

Franco Mastantuono, a Real Madrid superstar, was left off Argentina’s final roster. Unfortunately, after a very challenging and disappointing debut season at the Bernabeu, the offensive midfielder did not make the cut.

In the summer of 2025, Mastantuono left River Plate to join Real Madrid. For the initial part of the season, he was a consistent starter under Xabi Alonso. He temporarily displayed his skill, but he never fully recovered after losing his spot in the first XI.

Also Read: All Argentina players set to make their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026 ft. Nico Paz & Valentín Barco

1. Alejandro Garnacho

After being cut from Argentina’s World Cup team, Alejandro Garnacho’s hopes for the tournament are now dashed. Before joining Chelsea last summer, the former Manchester United player last played for the defending world champions.

After earning his debut in the summer of 2023, 21-year-old Garnacho was a regular in the national team. The winger made one appearance at the Copa America the following year.

But this summer, Garnacho won’t add to his eight senior team caps.

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