Scaloni ready to play another trick up his sleeve
Argentina coach has left the door open for fresh faces to shine in La Albiceleste's attempts to retain the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina coach names squad for last friendlies before World Cup
Roster includes several players vying for spot at showpiece event
Scaloni shows no hesitation in making changes when necessary
Since Lionel Scaloni took charge of the Argentina national team, two seemingly opposing approaches have prevailed, which, thanks to his leadership, have proven to work in perfect harmony. The head coach from Pujato, credited with bringing FIFA World Cup™ glory back to a nation passionate about claiming a third title, shapes his squad around two guiding principles that many other managers see as conflicting. Yet, these ideals are central to his achievements. While managing to honour the legendary players who built the team’s legacy, he also gives emerging talent the chance to shine.
This fine balance essentially embodies a cycle that succeeded in reinventing itself without losing sight of its core values. Whilst the household names underpin the team's emotional and competitive fabric, fresh talent naturally bursts onto the scene to breathe new life into the team's performance and ensure its long-term continuity. By blending talents across generations, this ongoing cycle promotes stronger team chemistry, enabling the group to achieve greater results instead of creating friction.
Not only does Scaloni manage people, but he also navigates moments, leadership roles and transitions. He knows when to lean on the old guard with proven track records in crunch matches, and when to bring in hungry newcomers who have nothing to lose. The Argentina national team has achieved a rare feat in top-flight football by evolving without losing its identity, competing without running out of steam, and sustaining its success without becoming a prisoner of its own past.
The proof of this winning formula was on display at Qatar 2022. During the team's opening match against Saudi Arabia, Scaloni fielded eight of the 11 players who had beaten Brazil in the historic Copa America final at the Maracana. The only changes involved the full-backs, which were usually rotated between Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina on the right flank and Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico on the left, and in midfield, where Giovani Lo Celso’s injury meant Alejandro Gomez took his place.
On the bench in Lusail that afternoon sat three youngsters, who had played fewer than 25 matches for the Albiceleste combined, yet whose contribution would prove decisive in securing the country's crowning glory: Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez had logged only a few hours of playing time prior to their pivotal roles in the team’s resurgence.
While the story is well known, it is well worth repeating. Mac Allister earned a spot in the starting line-up against Mexico, in what turned out to be a dress rehearsal for the final, with Fernandez coming off the bench to score a goal that sealed the 2-0 win. In the match against Poland, the duo partnered with Rodrigo de Paul in midfield, while Alvarez made his first start. Both Mac Allister and Alvarez featured on the scoresheet for another 2-0 victory. There was no stopping them after that. Alvarez bagged three goals in the competition, Mac Allister went from strength to strength, culminating in a stunning performance in the final, and Fernandez was named the FIFA Young Player of the tournament.
No surprise, then, to spot some familiar-sounding names on Scaloni’s squad list for the team’s final pre-World Cup friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, in the run-up to the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Even though the starting XI seems to be a foregone conclusion with little room for surprises in the squad, the recent unveiling of the 28 players set to feature in the friendly leaves the door open for fresh faces.
Whilst Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Nicolas Otamendi are the first-choice centre-backs, the injury-plagued seasons at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United means Scaloni needs to have other names up his sleeve. This is where the likes of Marcos Senesi, who has been outstanding for Bournemouth in the Premier League, and the young Tomas Palacios, come in. The latter, following a loan move from Inter Milan to Estudiantes, has become something of a star in Argentinian football, not only for his defensive prowess but also for his creativity on the ball, earning him his first international call-up.
A fellow debutant from Argentinian football for La Albiceleste will be Gabriel Rojas. Racing Club’s left-back has spent two years performing at the highest level, proving decisive in Argentinian football and no less influential on the continental stage. He lifted the Copa Sudamericana with La Academia in 2024 and reached the semi-finals of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores in 2025. Thanks to his impressive repertoire of attacking tricks and tireless work rate, Rojas is in his prime at 28 and will have the chance to earn Scaloni's trust and secure a place in the World Cup squad.
Nico Paz leads the revolution at Italian side Como, and it would come as no surprise if he were to take on an increasingly prominent role in the run-up to the World Cup. The linchpin of Cesc Fabregas’s system, Paz is Serie A’s second-highest goalscorer with nine goals and the third-highest creator with six assists. No other player has had such an impact in Serie A during the 2025/26 season. His team-mate Maximo Perrone plays a key role as a balancing force in the Italian club's line-up and received his second call-up to bolster the central midfield position.
Valentin Barco is one of the most exciting young prospects in European football. His conversion into a complete midfielder piqued Scaloni's interest, as did his ingenuity in navigating tight spaces and his mastery of the art of elegant execution. Nicknamed 'Colo', he ranks high among fans on social media and will have another shot at joining the national team.
Likewise, Gianluca Prestianni, who is on a good run of form at Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, was called up to the squad after shining in the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ with Diego Placente’s team. Meanwhile, Jose Lopez, the star of Brazilian side Palmeiras, adds to a front line that includes Alvarez and the injured Lautaro Martinez as permanent fixtures.
While it always seems challenging to earn a place in the starting line-up of a top-class outfit like Argentina’s national team, where the stars prove their worth week-in, week-out, Scaloni’s managerial record shows no hesitation in making changes when necessary. If pushed, the coach knows he always has one more ace to play.