Argentina men’s national football team head coach Lionel Scaloni has released the 29-player list for the team’s preparation friendlies ahead of the 2024 Copa América. “The tour before a cup is key, because that’s when you make the last adjustments,” Scaloni told the MLS Español social media channels on Tuesday.

The Albiceleste will face Ecuador on Sunday 9 in Chicago, then travel to Maryland to play Guatemala on Friday 14.

The list features 22 of the Qatar 2022-winning team. AS Roma striker Paulo Dybala is the biggest name to miss out, while Atlético Madrid’s Ángel Correa is making a comeback. The other three World Cup winners off the list are Juan Foyth, Alejando “Papu” Gómez, who is serving a two-year doping ban, and Thiago Almada, who will likely feature on Javier Mascherano’s 2024 Paris Olympics team. 

River goalkeeper Franco Armani remains the sole player from the Argentine league to feature. The list also includes several up-and-comers like Valentín Carboni, Valentín Barco and Alejandro Garnacho. 

Scaloni highlighted that most players are coming from a highly demanding season, so his work will focus on team-building. “When teams face Argentina, they face the champions, but it changes nothing for us,” said Scaloni. “Wearing this kit means we go out to win every game and that won’t change.”

Argentina is the Copa América defending champion, after winning the title in Brazil in 2021. The rules state every team must present a 26-player list, meaning three will be cut from the current squad. The Albiceleste is part of Group A, together with Canada, Chile and Perú. It will kick off its campaign on June 20 against Canada in Atlanta.