Otamendi could play in Argentina’s World Cup opener | OneFootball

Following the precedent of the disciplinary pardon granted to Cristiano Ronaldo, optimism is growing within the Argentine 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 match bans for Cristiano Ronaldo, allowing him to play at the start of the 2026 World Cup, has triggered a domino effect among several national teams. And in Argentina, there is a case closely following this ruling.

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

Initially, FIFA had confirmed that the defender received a one-match suspension, which would rule 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 Argentine National Team would miss the World Cup opener, although he would be eligible to play in the Finalissima 2026 against Spain. Even so, behind closed doors, there is optimism that an amnesty, a reconsideration, or a conditional suspension of the ban could occur, just as happened with CR7.

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

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

If the decision goes in that direction, Otamendi—a key figure in the Albiceleste defense and an undisputed 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 on September 9, when he played his last Qualifiers match with the Argentine National Team, a match he did not finish due to his sending off, but which brought a sense of relief for the experienced defender.

The former Vélez player used his social media to “say goodbye” and to “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 that it was his last “chapter of the Qualifiers,” having worn the captain’s armband this Tuesday in Ecuador, he 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.