Argentina squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-ups: Montiel, Balerdi out with injuries

Argentina suffered a blow during its FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations as two of its defenders, centre-back Leonardo Balerdi and right-back Gonzalo Montiel, were ruled out of the March-April international friendlies with injuries.

Balerdi has a calf injury, while Montiel has been ruled out with a muscle issue.

Montiel, who plays as a right-back, scored the first goal from the spot in River Plate’s 2-0 win in Río Cuarto but had to be stretchered off before the match ended, with clear signs of pain before the match ended.

According to local media, Montiel underwent tests after the match, which determined that he suffered a grade 1 muscle injury in the left biceps femoris.

Montiel was an integral member of Argentina’s World Cup-winning team in Qatar four years ago, and Lioel Scaloni, Argentina’s coach, has yet to name a replacement for the defender.

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On the other hand, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Montiel’s teammate at River Plate, has replaced Balerdi in the squad.

Quarta was a member of Argentina’s 2024 Copa America-winning squad, and his late inclusion will give him another chance for a final push to make it to the 2026 World Cup squad.

Argentina was scheduled to play Spain and Qatar in the March-April international window. However, the West Asian conflict saw the tournament — Qatar Football Festival — get postponed.

Instead, La Albiceleste will play Mauritania on March 27 and Zambia five days later. Both matches will take place at the La Bombonera, officially known as Estadio Alberto José Armando, in Buenos Aires.

Published on Mar 24, 2026