Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso are set to miss the World Cup after not being included in coach Diego Maradona’s 30-man preliminary squad.
Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and Barcelona central defender Gabriel Milito are other prominent absentees.
Five English-based players have been included – Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, Newcastle pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Liverpool duo Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez.
Argentina’s provisional squad
Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)
Mariano Andujar (Catania)
Diego Pozo (Colon)
Defenders
Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan)
Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich)
Walter Samuel (Inter Milan)
Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille)
Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield)
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle)
Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys)
Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes)
Ariel Garce (Colon)
Midfielders
Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)
Sebastian Blanco (Lanus)
Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes)
Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos)
Jose Sosa (Estudiantes)
Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool)
Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina)
Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors)
Angel Di Maria (Benfica)
Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle)
Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Forwards
Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
Diego Milito (Inter Milan)
Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors)
Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).