With the FIFA deadline for the 2026 World Cup roster approaching on May 30, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni has yet to finalize his 26-man squad. The defending champions are taking a cautious approach as they prepare for their journey to North America, with the coaching staff closely monitoring the fitness of several key players.

Concerns Over Player Fitness

Scaloni acknowledged that there are ongoing concerns regarding the fitness of some core squad members. “As of right now, we still have some lingering doubts and a few fitness issues with specific players that we intend to resolve over the coming days,” he stated in an interview with DSports. His commitment to ensuring that players are at their best physically is clear, as he emphasized the importance of being at 100% before the tournament begins.

Selection Criteria and Final Decisions

The coach reiterated that his selection criteria remain unchanged, focusing on players' current performance and physical condition. “Our criteria remains exactly the same as always: it’s about current performance on the pitch and ensuring they arrive in the absolute best shape possible,” Scaloni explained. He noted that the decision to delay the announcement of the final roster is a challenging but necessary aspect of his role, admitting that “it will be painful for some guys and joyful for others” when the final cuts are made.

As one of the 16 nations opting to withhold their squad announcements until the last week, Argentina's approach reflects the high stakes involved in selecting a team capable of defending their title in the expanded World Cup.