La Albiceleste is focusing on the upcoming first match, but two friendly games are on the calendar to sharpen their readiness. The senior team isn’t the only story this year; the under-20 side is gearing up for a remarkable challenge on the world stage.
Argentina is set to compete in the Sub 20 World Cup, a tournament that looked unlikely at the start of the year. Early results in the South American qualifying left the team in a tough spot, and Javier Mascherano stepped down as coach after the setback. Yet, the setback of Indonesia losing hosting duties opened a door of opportunity that eventually became a real chance for the young Argentines. The team will now take part in a global event regarded as the region’s pride in youth football.
The world’s best youth champions will host the event, which kicks off on May 20 at 6 p.m. local time. The venue is the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, situated in Santiago del Estero. Argentina is drawn into Group A alongside Uzbekistan, New Zealand, and Guatemala, setting up a demanding and exciting group stage path.
ARGENTINA’S CALLED-UP SQUAD
Javier Mascherano announced a provisional squad of 37 players that included rising talents such as Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Paz, and Facundo Buonanotte. Although three stars were retained by their clubs, the coach had to trim the group to a last 21 for the final squad, a necessary purge to build a cohesive unit for the tournament.
The group features a number of players already plying their trade in European football, including Máximo Perrone, Román Vega, Mateo Tanlongo, Valentín Carboni, Matías Soulé, and Luka Romero. Additionally, several homegrown talents have begun to make their mark at the domestic level. Among the notable names are Federico Redondo, Agustín Giay, Valentin Barco, and Gino Infantino, who have started to showcase their potential on big stages.
The full list of called players is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Federico Gomes Gerth, Nicolas Claa, Lucas Lavagnino. Defenders: Agustín Giay, Tomás Avilés, Lautaro Di Lollo, Valentín Gómez, Román Vega, Valentín Barco. Midfielders: Mateo Tanlongo, Ignacio Miramón, Federico Redondo, Máximo Perrone, Gino Infantino, Valentín Carboni. Forwards: Matías Soulé, Luka Romero, Brian Aguirre, Ignacio Maestro Puch, Juan Gauto, Alejo Veliz.
ARGENTINA’S FORMATION AND PREPARATION
Not all players will be available for the initial phase of preparations. Matías Soulé is expected to join only after completing the first leg of the Europa League semifinal with Sevilla, while some players who logged minutes on the final day of their league campaigns will need more time before hitting full match readiness.
So far, a condensed match was played against a local Sub 20 side, with Luka Romero scoring the lone goal. The national team’s schedule includes friendly matches versus the Dominican Republic and Japan before moving on to Santiago del Estero for the tournament debut.
IL SISTEMA DI DECISIONE ALTERNATIVO
To be clarified and finalized as preparation progresses.