Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella has cut four players from his initial 30-man World Cup squad.
Werder Bremen forward Franco Di Santo, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Fabian Rinaudo, River Plate defender Gabriel Mercado and Benfica centre-back Lisandro Lopez have all been omitted from the La Albiceleste roster for Brazil 2014.
Former Wigan attacker Di Santo was a surprise inclusion in Sabella’s preliminary squad but is now out of contention for the final 23 which will be selected by June 2.
Argentina are preparing for next month’s FIFA tournament where they will take on Bosnia Herzegovina, Nigeria and Iran in Group F.
26-man Argentina squad for World Cup
Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero (Monaco)
Mariano Andujar (Catania)
Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)
Defenders
Ezequiel Garay (Benfica)
Federico Fernandez (Napoli)
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon)
Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey)
Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan)
Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro)
Martin Demichelis (Manchester City)
Midfielders
Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors)
Lucas Biglia (Lazio)
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)
Ever Banega (Newell's Old Boys)
Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys)
Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan)
Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo)
Jose Sosa (Atletico Madrid)
Enzo Perez (Benfica)
Forwards
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain)
Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan)
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