Paulo Dybala’s international career with Argentina looks to be over after head coach Lionel Scaloni left the Roma forward out of his preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, submitted on Monday.
The 32-year-old playmaker’s omission strongly suggests Scaloni is ready to close the chapter on Dybala’s time with La Albiceleste.
Although Dybala was part of the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, he has not pulled on the Argentina shirt since late 2024, with persistent injuries and the rise of a new generation of attacking talent pushing him further down the pecking order.
New Faces Make the Cut
Among the names rewarded for their recent form are Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho and Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni, both included in the provisional list.
Prestianni’s call-up is notable given he is currently serving a FIFA ban for his conduct during a Champions League match. Should he make the final 26, the 19-year-old would be forced to sit out Argentina’s opening two group games against Algeria and Austria.
Lionel Messi was, predictably, included in the 55-man pool, though the Inter Miami captain has yet to publicly commit to playing at what would be his sixth and almost certainly final World Cup.
Comments