Argentina announce preliminary 2018 World Cup squad

Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli has named a 35-man provisional squad ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi has made the selection following an impressive 2017-18 campaign, but it is thought that the forward is at risk of being cut from the final squad at the start of June.

Juventus's Paulo Dybala is also included alongside Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, while there are seven Premier League players in the squad - including Manchester United pair Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo, and West Ham United attacker Manuel Lanzini.

There are also three uncapped players in the selection, with River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani named alongside Racing's Ricardo Centurion and Sporting midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia.

Argentina will open their 2018 World Cup campaign against Iceland on June 14, while they will also take on Croatia and Nigeria in the group stage of the competition.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Romero, Guzman, Caballero, Armani

Defenders: Mercado, Otamendi, Fazio, Tagliafico, Rojo, Acuna, Funes Mori, Ansaldi, Salvio, Pezzella

Midfielders: Mascherano, Di Maria, Banega, Biglia, Lanzini, Lo Celso, Centurion, Guido Pizarro, Paredes, Meza, Enzo Perez, Pablo Perez, Battaglia

Forwards: Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Dybala, Icardi, Pavon, Martinez, Perotti