The Argentine men’s national football team takes on its Jordanian counterpart on Friday, aiming to wrap up its World Cup 2026 group stage games on a high note.
The Albiceleste are out with an alternative lineup that sees winger Giuliano Simeone tried out at right back and midfielder Nico Paz taking the creative spot of captain Lionel Messi. The game will also see the tournament debut of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez as a striker partnership.
The game will also see center back Marcos Senesi make his debut after replacing Leonardo Balerdi in the squad.
Captain Lionel Messi will start from the bench, although he’s expected to enter the pitch some time in the second half.
It will also be the debut of Argentina’s away kit, having previously played against Algeria and Austria with the traditional light blue and white stripped shirt.
Scaloni alerted of changes but said he’s out to win
The new lineup didn’t come without warning. On Friday, head coach Lionel Scaloni admitted it could be a game where Argentina tests new ideas.
“If we can, we may take the opportunity to try out other systems,” said Scaloni in the Friday press conference. “Jordan usually plays with five at the back, and that means different kinds of movements. We’ve worked on it and the team could change up.”
However, Scaloni was adamant that the Albiceleste would go out to win, insisting that “playing with [Argentina’s] jersey means you have to go out to play, do it well, and win any time you can.”
Cover image: Selección Argentina Twitter
