Enzo Fernández left out of Lionel Scaloni’s squad | OneFootball

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) released the list of players called up for the Argentine National Team for the upcoming South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, and Enzo Fernández is not included.

The reason for the Chelsea player's absence is due to the sanction he received following his expulsion in the draw against Colombia at the Monumental. At 18 minutes into the second half of that match, Fernández received a direct red card for a reckless tackle against Kevin Castaño, an imprudent action that earned him a two-match suspension from Conmebol.

Among the surprises were names like Julio Soler (Bournemouth), Alan Varela (Porto), Claudio Echeverri (Bayer Leverkusen), and José Manuel López (Palmeiras), who will have his first opportunity with the “Albiceleste”.

Thus, Lionel Scaloni was forced to look for alternatives to strengthen that area of the field, and the choice fell on Varela, who is having a great season in Portugal with Porto.

The coaching staff's decision also responds to the need to refresh options in the midfield. The former Boca player joins a list that already includes names like Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, and Exequiel Palacios.

The absence of Enzo Fernández undoubtedly represents a significant blow for the National Team, as they lose one of their most talented and consistent players of recent years.

Even so, the opportunity opens up for new faces in the “Albiceleste”, on a path that not only aims to resolve the upcoming matches against Venezuela and Ecuador but also to build a competitive squad with the 2026 World Cup in mind.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.