Otamendi set for Argentina’s World Cup opener after amnesty? | OneFootball

After the precedent of the disciplinary pardon granted to Cristiano Ronaldo, optimism is growing within the Argentina National Team. The Argentine center-back could receive a similar benefit and be available for the World Cup opener.

The recent decision by FIFA to conditionally suspend the two pending matches of Cristiano Ronaldo, allowing him to play at the start of the 2026 World Cup, has triggered a domino effect in several national teams. And in Argentina, there is a case closely following this decision.

This concerns Nicolás Otamendi, one of Lionel Scaloni’s team leaders, who was sent off in the last round of the Qualifiers against Ecuador and, in principle, was set to serve an automatic suspension.

Initially, FIFA had confirmed that the defender received a one-match suspension, which would leave him out of the World Cup debut. However, according to information accessed by Doble Amarilla, there is growing confidence within the Argentine Football Association that similar criteria to those used in the Portuguese star’s case could be applied.

The original ruling stated that the vice-captain of the Argentina National Team would miss the World Cup opener, although he would be eligible to play in the Finalissima 2026 against Spain. Still, internally, there remains optimism that there could be an amnesty, a reconsideration, or a conditional suspension of the sanction, just as happened with CR7.

At the time, Otamendi also “escaped a harsher punishment.” For days, rumors circulated that the red card against Ecuador could cost him more than one match, but ultimately FIFA dismissed any extended punishment and upheld only the minimum mandatory suspension.

Now, with the precedent of the partial pardon applied to Cristiano, expectations are renewed. The AFA is awaiting a formal response in the coming hours, and those close to the National Team assure there are solid arguments to request similar treatment, based on the recently applied disciplinary criteria.

If the resolution moves in that direction, Otamendi — a key piece in the Albiceleste defense and an absolute leader of the Scaloni era — could be present for the World Cup debut, a relief for the coaching staff and news that fans will celebrate.

Otamendi, between catharsis and pride: the defender’s letter after his last Qualifiers match

Nicolás Otamendi experienced a mix of emotions in Guayaquil this past September 9, as he played his last Qualifiers match with the Argentina National Team, a match he did not finish due to a red card, but which brought a sense of relief to the experienced defender.

The former Vélez player used his social media to “say goodbye” and “vent” about his red card, “the first with this shirt, it wasn’t my day,” wrote ‘Ota’, adding: “I’ll remember these Qualifiers, achieved through hard work, commitment, and above all, joy.”

In addition to announcing it was his last “Qualifiers chapter,” the man who wore the captain’s armband this Tuesday in Ecuador reflected: “For things to go well, you have to come to enjoy and know how to represent this shirt. Proud of this group today, tomorrow, and always.”

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