General FIFA World Cup 2026 Discussion

The players now in training...
"Coach, I am running as fast as I can!"

 

Given that Capaldo is already there he might just be selected as is. I'd rather they go for Senesi. Scaloni has been given a second chance.

Enciso may be out for Paraguay as well. Anyone carrying a knock needs to play to prove and get fitness but it's a risk. Pitches and some nutter of an opponent could end a WC before it starts for someone.

Meanwhile the game between Saudi and Puerto Rico was delayed because of lightning. This may happen throughout this WC. It could affect games badly especially if a team has the upper hand.

 

🚨🇦🇷 La Selección Argentina podría incluir en la lista de 26 convocados a la Copa del Mundo a un jugador que NO sea parte de la prelista de 55 futbolistas.

🚑 Esta situación se desprende tras la lesión que le impide disputar la competencia a Leonardo Balerdi.

📋 En dicho caso,… pic.twitter.com/kBt88Pb2f2

— dataref (@dataref_ar) June 6, 2026

Just to add...

🚨🇦🇷 IGNACIO OVANDO, defensor central de 18 años perteneciente a Rosario Central, es otro de los jugadores que ESTÁ EN CONSIDERACIÓN para reemplazar a Leonardo Balerdi en la lista para la Copa del Mundo.

👉 Es uno de los jugadores que está entrenando actualmente con el plantel… pic.twitter.com/cfzC4HX3Ux

— dataref (@dataref_ar) June 6, 2026

 

left a brilliant winger soule at home and brought in lo celso over dybala both equally missed most of the season, one is just 10 levels above his entire career

 

Without wishing to rehash the now pointless "why didn't he take this player or that player" but why didn't he take Buendia or Soulé instead of Almada? Sigh.

 

I am a day 1 Almada hater. The guy entire's career is some nice goals and FK with zero actual presence. People will still blame simeone for his flop show at atlletico lol bro is MLS level

 

Welcome to the reality check, other than Barco and Paz our bench is completely useless.

 

I've said previously, I'd rather sacrifice Lo Celso or Almada for Buendia. Its definetely Almada. And I actually like Almada circa 2023-2025. He did well in qualifier but based on form, he shouldnt be there.

 

Simeone will offer something coming off the bench. Almada will, erm, come in handy putting out the cones for training.

 

Nico G > Almada in this team. The physicality that Nico brings is a must.

I'd rather have Buendia than Almada.

 

The Argentina national team won 2-0 against Honduras and Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference after the match. Here is what he had to say about Leonardo Balerdi and his injury:

“When I sat down yesterday at the press conference, we had hope that it would not be what everyone was thinking. It was confirmed that Balerdi has a problem in the soleus and we had to take him out of action, unfortunately. It was too risky.

“The replacement isn’t there yet. I don’t want to alarm anyone because we’re not at 100% with several players. Maybe that decision doesn’t just depend on a center back.

“We’re going to wait and draw conclusions based on what the team needs. The misfortune of Balerdi means we have to rethink situations with other team mates.

“We have the opportunity of one more match to draw more conclusions and not rush things. We’re not going to make a decision until Tuesday and see how other guys are. We’ll wait.”

Scaloni also spoke about Nico Paz and Julián Álvarez:

“Nico Paz is available and we are calm with Julián. We will not have problems.”

 

Sounds like he's opening the door for a non defender replacement...

 

The only problem with Nico and Giu is that they always run straight at traffic with their heads down. I mean, you'd think training and playing alongside someone like Messi would at least improve their footballing brain a little bit lol.

 

They can run to get the ball to Messi in advanced positions.

 

🤷🏻‍♂️📹 Dibu Martínez estuvo como camarógrafo en Argentina-Honduras pic.twitter.com/9o2TDXwuAT

— PaseClave (@paseclave__) June 7, 2026

 

We've found Almada's role in this team.

 

That's very sensible. Medina is there to cover at LB. Tags and Licha already there. We would need for me a direct CB replacement.

And as for RB if there is any suspicion of Montiel and Molina not being 100% then it's a position that requires a lot of determination, covering the ground in defence and attack and Capaldo and Giay who have had very good seasons and have that garra should replace them.

And ideally if we could get Lo Celso out and Perrone in I'd be very happy.

 

That's probably done them a favour. Very good season for Ederson. Mind you results in these friendlies are absolutely no indication of what will happen in the WC.

 

Join the photographers club Dibu...... He certainly has the arm strength to keep hold of a telephoto. Mind you now all these lenses are image stabilized within the lens or camera body.

 

Vamos a Alabama para el último amistoso antes de la Copa del Mundo.
Scaloni quiere decidir al reemplazante de Balerdi después del partido contra Islandia del próximo martes.
Eso es porque depende de cómo llegan físicamente el resto de los jugadores. Evidentemente ve que puede… pic.twitter.com/HhAAPdmsSv

— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) June 7, 2026

 

100% agreed, but also to be expected that there's going to be media wars so to speak leading up to the cup. Lot's of misinformation incoming in the next 10 days.

 

Yup. It was funny watching Messi on the bench. He get's it but you could tell by his movements he was itching to get into the game.