Leonardo Balerdi injured, ruled out of the 2026 World Cup

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La Número 12

·6. Juni 2026

Leonardo Balerdi injured, ruled out of the 2026 World Cup

Major blow for the Argentina National Team just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup. During Saturday morning’s training session, the worst news was confirmed in the Albiceleste camp: defender Leonardo Balerdi suffered a muscle tear and has officially been ruled out of football’s biggest event.

The player who came through Boca Juniors’ youth academy, and who had been earning an important place in the coaching staff’s plans, is expected to need 21 days to recover. That meant he would miss the entire group stage, forcing decisive action to be taken.

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The Argentine Football Association confirmed it through the following official medical report: Defender Leonardo Balerdi suffered a muscle injury in the soleus of his right leg and will not be part of the squad that will play in the World Cup.

Leo Balerdi will miss football’s biggest event. Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images.

Scaloni decides on his replacement for the 2026 World Cup

With confirmation that Balerdi will not be able to be part of the squad, Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff was forced to act urgently to have a player at 100% for the debut.

It is worth remembering FIFA’s regulations for these cases of force majeure: participating teams have until one day before the start of their first match of the competition to make changes to the official squad list, provided they are serious injuries confirmed by the medical committee.

Given this unfortunate setback, attention immediately turns to the reserve list that Scaloni had prepared. The main candidate to join the delegation and fill the vacant spot is Marcos Senesi. Lautaro Di Lollo is also on that list.