Argentina: the 6 world champions left out of the World Cup | OneFootball

The release of the preliminary squad for the Argentina national team for the 2026 World Cup sent a clear signal about the transition taking place during Lionel Scaloni’s cycle. Several members of the squad that won in Qatar 2022 are no longer in contention on the road to the next World Cup.

Between injuries, the end of cycles, and a loss of regular playing time, some historic names from the Albiceleste were left out of the preliminary list of 55 players.

One of the most notable names is Franco Armani. The River goalkeeper was a substitute for much of the World Cup in Qatar and was part of the group that earned the third star.

However, he has not been called up to the Argentina national team for nearly two years, and he was ultimately left out of the preliminary squad presented by Scaloni.

The presence of Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli also reflects the generational change in Argentina’s goalkeeping department.

Another absent champion is Ángel Di María. The Rosario native had already announced his retirement from the national team after winning the Copa América and will not continue on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

“Fideo” was a key piece of Scaloni’s era and the author of one of the most memorable goals in the final against France in Lusail.

His departure marks the end of a generation that also won the 2021 Copa América and the Finalissima against Italy.

Alejandro “Papu” Gómez also does not appear to be in the coaching staff’s plans. The attacking midfielder has not been called up again since the triumph in Qatar.

In Paulo Dybala’s case, constant injuries and a lack of continuity at Roma ended up affecting his chances of returning to the national team.

Although he was part of the world champion squad and scored his penalty in the final against France, the Córdoba native lost ground in the competition for attacking spots.

Correa and Foyth, other major absences

Ángel Correa was also left out of the preliminary squad. The forward decided to continue his career in Mexican football and gradually fell off Argentina’s radar.

Juan Foyth, for his part, will also be unable to be at the World Cup due to a ruptured left Achilles tendon suffered at the beginning of the year.

Both had been part of the championship-winning group in Qatar and now appear among the names that will not be at the next World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.