Argentina World Cup squad: Paulo Dybala included but Mauro Icardi misses out on 23-man group for Russia

Jorge Sampaoli selected Dybala alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain as one of the most potent strikeforces heading to Russia

Argentina will be led by captain Lionel Messi (AFP/Getty Images)

Paulo Dybala has been included in Argentina’s 23-man World Cup squad as part of a fearsome attacking line-up, but Inter’s Mauro Icardi has missed out on a place in the squad.

Jorge Sampaoli selected Dybala alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain as one of the most potent strikeforces heading to Russia but omitted Icardi despite his 29 Serie A goals this season.

The squad is talented but inexperienced, with the 14 players never having been to a World Cup before, and it is not immediately clear how Argentina will line-up for their first game, against Iceland on Saturday 16 June.

“We’ve decided on these names after a lot of analysis in every position,” said Sampaoli. ”Cristian Ansaldi can play on either side. Meza gives you options either on the outside or on the inside of the pitch.

“I spoke with Messi and I saw him as very enthusiastic for what’s coming up. Physically, he’s doing well. Sergio Aguero has been training normally since last week. Mercado won’t have any problems. We will see how Biglia arrives.”

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Willy Caballero, Franco Armani

Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Javier Mascherano, Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Cristian Ansaldi

Midfielders: Manuel Lanzini, Maximiliano Meza, Lucas Biglia, Ever Banega, Giovani Lo Celso, Angel Di Maria, Cristian Pavon, Eduardo Salvio

Forwards: Paulo Dybala, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain.