Just a few days before the debut of the Albiceleste in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, the Lyon full-back and the Atlético Madrid winger are training separately, raising concerns for Lionel Scaloni's coaching staff
Group J
Match 1: Argentina - Algeria | Tuesday, June 16 | 8:00 PM | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Match 2: Argentina - Austria | Monday, June 22 | 2:00 PM | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Match 3: Jordan - Argentina | Saturday, June 27 | 11:00 PM | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
In the lead-up to the debut in the 2026 World Cup against Algeria, the Argentine National Team has added an unexpected concern. Nicolás Tagliafico and Nicolás González are working separately due to various physical discomforts and their progress is being closely monitored by the coaching staff led by Lionel Scaloni.
The case that generates the most concern is that of Tagliafico. The left-back has not been able to train normally in recent days and his presence in the World Cup debut against the Africans, next Tuesday, June 16 at 10 PM at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, remains under evaluation.
The Olympique Lyon defender sustained a blow during the friendly against Honduras, a match in which he was a starter but left the field at halftime. Since then, he has not added any minutes: he missed the second practice match against Iceland and has not been able to train alongside the rest of the squad.
Although at the moment there is no diagnosis indicating a serious injury nor is his participation in the World Cup at risk, his physical condition creates uncertainty just days before the start of the competition.
In this scenario, Facundo Medina emerges as the main alternative to occupy the left-back position in case Tagliafico is not fit. The defender, usually a center-back, has already been used by Scaloni in that position and is seen as the first option. Other players like Lisandro Martínez, Valentín Barco, or even Nicolás González could also play there.
Indeed, the forward is also under medical observation. The Atlético Madrid player is experiencing a muscle overload and has been doing differentiated tasks during recent training sessions. The situation is of particular concern because he had already arrived at the camp with some recent physical setbacks and had just returned to add minutes against Iceland.
According to the initial evaluations, neither of the two discomforts would jeopardize the players' participation in the World Cup, although the following days will be crucial to determine if they will be available from the start in the debut against Algeria.
