In a major blow to Argentina’s title defence, Leonardo “Leo” Balerdi has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a serious leg injury during a training session. Coach Lionel Scaloni must now select a replacement from the preliminary squad as the defending champions prepare for their opening match.
Details of Balerdi’s Injury
The 27-year-old Marseille center-back sustained a muscle tear (reported as a leg injury) in Friday’s training with the Argentina national team. According to reports from journalist Nacho Rivarola, Balerdi faces a recovery period of at least one month, which effectively ends his participation in the tournament starting June 16.
This latest setback adds to Argentina’s defensive concerns heading into the World Cup. Balerdi had earned a spot in Scaloni’s 26-man squad thanks to strong performances for Olympique de Marseille and consistent call-ups as a reliable backup center-back option alongside players like Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, and Nicolás Otamendi.
Impact on Argentina’s World Cup Campaign
Argentina, aiming for a historic three-peat after winning in 2022 (and the Copa América), will open Group J against Algeria in Kansas City. The injury leaves the backline thinner, especially with other fitness concerns in the squad.
Lionel Scaloni now faces an urgent decision. Under FIFA rules, teams can replace injured players up to 24 hours before their first match from the extended preliminary list of 55 players.
Who Will Replace Leo Balerdi?
The most mentioned candidate to step in is Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), who was reportedly edged out in the final squad selection but remains a strong option due to his Premier League experience and previous international call-ups. Other potential names from the preliminary list include experienced defenders like Germán Pezzella.
Scaloni is expected to confirm the replacement in the coming hours or days following further medical assessments.
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