Scaloni unveils 33-man provisional squad with Echeverri and Dybala in the fold

Claudio Echeverri and Paulo Dybala are the standout inclusions in Lionel Scaloni's 33-man provisional squad for Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay.

Their selections are among several key changes in the initial list of players called up for the crucial South American qualifiers.

On Sunday evening, the Argentina coach confirmed his squad for the two high-stakes encounters in March as the Albiceleste aim to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.

In addition to the inclusion of Echeverri—recently signed by Manchester City and fresh off an impressive South American Under-20 Championship—Scaloni has also called up Maximo Perrone (Como), Francisco Ortega (Olympiakos), Benjamin Dominguez (Bologna) and Santiago Castro (Bologna).

Another major talking point is the return of Paulo Dybala (Roma), who missed out on the squad ahead of last year's Copa America in the United States, where Argentina successfully defended their title.

Despite speculation about further domestic call-ups, only two players currently plying their trade in Argentina's top flight have made the provisional squad list: Gonzalo Montiel and German Pezzella, both of River Plate.

The Albiceleste will face Uruguay on 21 March at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, before hosting Brazil four days later at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Following these classic South American clashes, Argentina will go on to play Chile (away in Santiago) and Colombia (at home) in June, before facing Venezuela (at home) and Ecuador (away) in September.

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille) and Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven)

Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Lens), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais) and Francisco Ortega (Olympiakos)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (AS Roma), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Maximo Perrone (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Benjamin Dominguez (Bologna) and Thiago Almada (Olympique Lyonnais)

Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Paz (Como), Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (AS Roma), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Santiago Castro (Bologna) and Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)

 

March 2, 2025