With just two months remaining before the World Cup begins, Argentine media reports indicate that head coach Lionel Scaloni has finalised a provisional 22-man squad for the national team.
Recent concerns had arisen within the squad following an injury to defender Cristian Romero. While representing Tottenham Hotspur, Romero was forced to leave the pitch after sustaining a ligament issue in his right foot. Medical assessments suggest a recovery period of approximately five to eight weeks, offering some reassurance to the national setup regarding his fitness timeline.
Despite this prognosis, Romero’s availability for Argentina’s opening match remains uncertain. As a result, alternative defensive options are being considered. Leonardo Balerdi is currently being positioned as the primary replacement, while Marcos Senesi and Facundo Medina are also competing for inclusion in the final squad selection.
The coaching staff may opt not to risk Romero in the opening fixture against Algeria on 16 June. In such a scenario, Balerdi is expected to feature in the starting line-up. Notably, he is regarded as the only right-footed centre-back in the squad apart from Nicolás Otamendi, which increases his tactical importance in defensive planning.
In addition, Juan Foyth has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, further intensifying competition for the remaining centre-back position. At present, Romero, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez and Balerdi are considered confirmed defensive selections, with one remaining spot yet to be decided.
Among the candidates for this final defensive role, Senesi is reported to be in a leading position. He has been a regular starter for Bournemouth since joining from Feyenoord in 2022. During the current season, he has made 33 appearances and has frequently been included in the starting eleven. He has also recently featured in international fixtures for Argentina.
In contrast, Facundo Medina of Olympique de Marseille is currently considered less likely to secure selection. He last appeared for the national team in June of the previous year and has not been called up since. His absence has been compounded by injury setbacks, which have further limited his opportunities for international involvement.
The remainder of the squad reflects a balanced selection across all areas of the pitch, combining experienced players with emerging talents. The provisional squad is outlined below.
Provisional Argentina Squad
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli |
| Defenders | Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico |
| Midfielders | Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Nico González, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Paz, Thiago Almada |
| Forwards | Giuliano Simeone, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, José López |
With squad selection nearing completion, attention remains focused on player fitness and final tactical decisions ahead of the tournament’s opening fixtures.