Scaloni Acknowledges Argentina’s Physical Challenges Ahead of World Cup 2026

Lionel Scaloni, the head coach of Argentina’s national team, has acknowledged that several players are still not fully fit just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup.

His comments came after Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Honduras in a friendly match held in Texas, part of their preparation for the upcoming tournament.

The Argentine team is set to play one final friendly against Iceland on Tuesday before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16.

Scaloni’s Remarks Spark Discussion

During the post-match press conference, Scaloni stated that the final squad is still uncertain, with several players not yet reaching full readiness, both technically and physically. He indicated that potential adjustments may involve more than just the defensive line.

The coach noted that the injury to defender Leonardo Balerdi has prompted the coaching staff to reassess the physical condition of several players, emphasizing that the final roster will not be determined until Tuesday after monitoring each player’s physical development.

The Argentine squad has been dealt a blow with Balerdi’s absence due to injury, adding to the challenges facing the coaching staff ahead of the tournament.

Concerns have also arisen within Argentina’s camp regarding Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, and Leandro Paredes. Montiel and Molina are dealing with varying degrees of muscle injuries, while Paredes continues his rehabilitation program due to a muscle injury that has kept him from fully participating in training.

Additionally, Julian Alvarez missed out due to an ankle inflammation, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is recovering from a broken finger but is expected to be fit for the opening match.

Despite these absences and concerns, Scaloni expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance against Honduras, stating that the match was positive and met its objectives in terms of both results and providing most players with valuable playing time.