Leonardo Balerdi withdraws from Argentina squad after injury | OneFootball

Argentina have suffered a setback ahead of the 2026 World Cup after Leonardo Balerdi was ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury sustained in training.

The Marseille defender, who had been named in Lionel Scaloni’s final 26-man squad, picked up the problem in a session earlier this week. Medical tests later confirmed a soleus muscle injury in his right leg, forcing him to withdraw from the group entirely.

It is a cruel blow for the 27-year-old, who was set to feature at his first World Cup after an impressive season in Ligue 1. Balerdi played a key role in helping Marseille secure European football for next term, standing out for his defensive consistency and ability in the air.

Argentina have yet to confirm a replacement, though Scaloni does have several options from a strong preliminary defensive list, with ten defenders originally included in the wider squad pool. The likes of Lucas Martínez Quarta, Germán Pezzella and Marcos Acuña are among those still hoping to be selected.

The defending champions continue their preparations with a friendly against Honduras before their Group J opener against Algeria on 17 June, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

Despite the setback, Argentina remain among the favourites to retain their world crown, but the loss of depth at the back could prove significant over the coming weeks.