Lionel Scaloni names squad 50 days before the World Cup | OneFootball

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina national team is focused on the final stage of preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11. Although the excitement over the World Cup has not yet reached the bulk of Argentine fans, the tournament is just around the corner and, by now, the coach knows he has little time left to start outlining the final details of the squad, which, in his own words, is already almost complete.

The situation Lionel Scaloni is facing today is similar to the one he had in early October 2022, when there was roughly the same amount of time left before the World Cup in Qatar. Back then, the cards were already on the table. At the time, the doubts were: Gonzalo Montiel, Juan Foyth, Joaquín Correa, Ángel Correa, Enzo Fernández, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso and Papu Gómez. The rest of the team was known and included many of the players most recognized by the fans. However, in those final fifty days, Enzo Fernández, thanks to his performances at Benfica, made it into the squad and became one of the key men of the tournament.

Later on, Gio Lo Celso’s injury gave Alejandro “Papu” Gómez a bigger role and he ultimately made it into the 26-man squad, also adding one of the biggest mysteries of recent times regarding his later departure from the group. And that was also when both Montiel and Foyth appeared, although in this case one of them was “helped” by Nico González’s injury. That was when both players “breathed easier” and made it into the team. The only omission was Joaquín Correa, at one of the final moments, not to mention the condition he was in physically, and the entry of the former San Lorenzo player. Meanwhile, Rulli beat out Juan Musso for the third goalkeeper spot. All of that happened 50 days before the World Cup in Qatar.

In this case, there are several similarities, but with a different squad. From back to front, it seems to show that Musso will this time make the World Cup as the third goalkeeper, mainly because of Franco Armani’s absence. That puts Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli and Musso himself on the horizon. Further behind appears Walter Benítez, though with less of a chance.

In defense, the cards seem to be on the table. Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel on the right, Cuti Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez and Leonardo Balerdi are locks for the back line. The latter could even end up starting in the opener depending on the condition of the Tottenham player. Meanwhile, Tagliafico will be the left-back, practically without any doubt. And here other names appear: Marcos Senesi (as a player fighting for a spot) and Lautaro Di Lollo could be part of the center-back options. At left-back, Facundo Medina and Marcos Acuña appear. But the presence of Valentín Barco in the final squad together with Nicolás González could also influence one of them not going. At right-back, Agustín Giay or Kevin Mac Allister are the ones quietly waiting for an outside circumstance that would allow them to overtake both Molina and Montiel.

For their part, in midfield Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás González, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz and Valentín Barco — after the double matchday — seem to have their ticket to the World Cup secured. Behind them, that renewal looks more complicated. There appear Franco Mastantuono (if he does not get minutes, he seems far off), Giovani Lo Celso (in the same situation) and a couple of steps further back: Máximo Perrone, Gianluca Prestianni, Alan Varela and Equi Fernández.

Up front, everything is much clearer, since Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada and Julián Álvarez are locks. However, Lautaro Martínez’s recent injury leaves some doubt as to whether or not he will make it to the World Cup. Clearly, if he reaches 70% of his capabilities, the striker will be part of the squad. Waiting behind are Santiago Castro and Juan Manuel López.

-The list of “confirmed” players (21)

Those fighting for a place among the 26 (5 spots left)

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