The Argentina team already has a clearer picture for the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni published a preliminary list of called-ups. 55 footballers were selected by the Argentine strategist to determine the final list. Among those called is Lionel Messi, a player who could play in his sixth World Cup.

It is not worth mentioning that the list of 55 footballers has to be reduced to 26 players. However, Lionel Messi is increasingly closer to establishing a new record in the World Cup.

In the case of Lionel Messi entering the final list of 26 players, a foreseeable scenario, the Inter Miami footballer would be on the gates of playing his sixth World Cup. From the World Cup from 2006, Messi has seen minutes in the maximum World Cup. If he sees minutes in the 2026 World Cup, Messi would become the only player to play minutes in 6 world tournaments.

Another player who is also close to this record is Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Al Nassr striker hasn't yet entered a preliminary list of the Portugal team. CR7 has played, like Messi, the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Both players are equaled in the mentioned record with five participations. To this list are the names of Antonio Carbajal (Mexico), Lothar Matthäus (Germany), Rafael Márquez (Mexico) and Andrés Guardado (Mexico).

Argentina preliminary list for the World Cup

Archers:

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)

Geronimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)

Juan Musso (Atletico de Madrid)

Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace)

Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club)

Santiago Beltrán (River Plate)

Defenders:

Agustín Giay (Palmeiras)

Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)

Nahuel Molina (Atletico de Madrid)

Nicolás Capaldo (Hamburg SV)

Kevin Mac Allister (Union Saint Gilloise)

Lucas Martínez Quarta (River Plate)

Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)

Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)

Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)

Germán Pezzella (River Plate)

Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)

Cristian Romero (Tottenham)

Lautaro Di Lollo (Boca Juniors)

Zaid Romero (Getafe)

Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille)

Marcos Acuña (River Plate)

Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon)

Gabriel Rojas (Racing Club)

Midfielders:

Máximo Perrone (Like)

Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)

Guido Rodríguez (Valencia)

Aníbal Moreno (River Plate)

Milton Delgado (Boca Juniors)

Alan Varela (Porto)

Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen)

Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)

Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

Giovani Lo Celso (Betis)

Nicolás Domínguez (Nottingham Forest)

Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa)

Valentin Boat (Racing of Strasbourg)

Fronts:

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Nicholas Peace (Like)

Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid)

Thiago Almada (Atletico de Madrid)

Tomás Aranda (Boca Juniors)

Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid)

Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea)

Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)

Matías Soulé (Rome)

Claudio Echeverri (Girona)

Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica)

Santiago Castro (Bologna)

Lautaro Martínez (Inter)

José Manuel López (Palmeiras)

Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid)

Mateo Pellegrino (Parma)

Group from Argentina in the World Cup