Argentina name squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier

New Delhi, Aug 12: Argentine national team's head coach Jorge Sampaoli has named 23 players to his squad to face two important matches in the 2018 World Cup qualifying round against Uruguay and Venezuela on 31 August and 5 September.

And without any surprise, the recently named Argentina boss squandered no time putting his own stamp on the national team as he left out six major names all the while.

The biggest exclusion from the squad is Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain whereas another big omission is Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo who misses out through injury.

Instead of them, Sampaoli has recalled Inter Milan skipper and striker Mauro Icardi to the national side after four long years whereas Sampaoli also included Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and midfielder Javier Pastore in his team.

Aguero was left out of Argentina's squad in June for friendlies against Brazil and Singapore, while Pastore has not played for Argentina since October 2015. Pastore was earlier included in the Copa America squad, however, he passed up a great opportunity in the competition due to an injury.

Mauro Icardi came back to the national side after his debut in 2013 when he played only 10 minutes in a World Cup qualifier.

Argentina are right now currently at the fifth place in the South American qualifier for the 2018 Russia World Cup. And to make it to the final world cup stage they have to reach the top four spot.

If not so they will have to play a playoff with the Winners of Oceania zone to cement their presence in the World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad).

Defenders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Federico Fazio (Roma), Nicolas Pareja (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Marcos Acuna (Sporting), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Leandro Paredes (Zenit St Petersburg), Guido Pizarro (Sevilla).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Joaquin Correa (Sevilla), Mauro Icardi (Internazionale).