Without Messi, Argentina adds Dybala for South American qualifiers

Buenos Aires. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on Monday added striker Paulo Dybala to the squad for the double-header qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Chile and Colombia, in which Messi will be absent due to injury.

“Roma footballer Paulo Dybala joins those called up by Lionel Scaloni for the upcoming South American qualifying matches,” was announced on the X account of the Argentine National Team.

‘The Jewel’ Dybala, world champion in Qatar-2022, had not been called up for the 2024 Copa América in the United States, in which Argentina won the championship.

The list also does not include Angel Di María, who announced his retirement from the national team after the Copa América, nor River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani.

Among the new additions are the presence of youngsters such as Valentín Barco, Ezequiel Fernández, Matías Soulé and Giuliano Simeone, as well as the inclusion of Lazio’s top scorer Valentín Castellanos.

Argentina also leads the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

In the World Cup qualifying round, they will host Chile on September 5 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires and then visit Colombia on September 10.

These are the summoned:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, England), Juan Musso (Atalanta, Italy), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille, France), Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands).

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Seville, Spain), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid, Spain), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille, France), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, England), German Pezzella (River Plate, Argentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, Portugal), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, England), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, France) and Valentin Barco (Seville, Spain).

Midfielders: Guido Rodríguez (West Ham United, England), Leandro Paredes (Roma, Italy), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, England), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Ezequiel Fernández (Al Qadsiah, Saudi Arabia), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea, England), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham) and Nicolás González (Fiorentina, Italy).

Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Italy), Valentin Carboni (Monza, Italy) and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio, Italy), Matias Soule (Roma) and Paulo Dybala (Roma).