The 2026 football World Cup is about to begin, and defending champions Argentina have completed their preparations in style. They understand the pressure of being expected to win back-to-back titles — but the problem they have hit on the eve of the tournament will take another day or two to resolve. Just before the World Cup, the Argentina squad has turned into a small infirmary: according to team sources, the biggest worries are Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes, with Montiel and Molina both suffering muscle problems. Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup altogether, and his replacement has not yet been decided.
Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in a match played on Wednesday morning Bangladesh time. Asked at the post-match press conference to name Balerdi’s replacement, coach Lionel Scaloni said: “Did I say tomorrow? It may take one more day. As I said yesterday, we have an idea. But we have discussed it — it may take one or two more days.” The World Cup opens with the Mexico-South Africa match, and the discussion over who replaces the defender will continue for several days. Without giving details, Scaloni indicated he has two players in mind; according to a TyC report, Guido Rodriguez is the frontrunner.
Three Argentines scored against Iceland — Valentin Barco, Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada in the 8th, 71st and 86th minutes, Messi converting a penalty within two minutes of coming on in the 70th. Nico Paz, who started and played 57 minutes, caught Scaloni’s eye: “I saw Nico very much at ease. I had already seen he was eager to return to the team. Today it became clear he is in very good condition and played exactly the way he plays every match for Como. We are very happy, because he played a great match. Today’s test satisfied me and removed any doubt about what the team might lack.” The 23rd football World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Argentina open their title defence against Algeria on 17 June, with Austria and Jordan to follow in the group stage on 22 and 28 June.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report