After settling in Qatar, Argentina will return to play on home soil to celebrate with its fans and showcase a squad that blends World Cup champions with promising youth.
Four months after earning the Qatar World Cup title, the Argentina national team resumes action to honor supporters and pursue a defense of the crown in 2026. Taking advantage of the FIFA date, the Albiceleste will contest two friendlies in their home country, welcoming the full world champions group alongside rising talents.
THE FIXTURE OF THE ARGENTINE SELECTION
Argentina will face Panama on Thursday, March 23 at the Más Monumental Stadium in Núñez, Buenos Aires, and five days later, on Tuesday, March 28, they will travel to Santiago del Estero to face Curacao in the Mother of Cities.
TICKETS FOR ARGENTINA VS PANAMA
LIST OF CALLED
On Friday, March 3, the Argentine Football Association published a provisional list of 35 players designated for the FIFA date. The roster includes the Qatar-based world champions and several youngsters who will vie for minutes under the guidance of the coach from Pujato.
Among the newcomers is Alexander Garnacho, a Manchester United youngster who also holds Spanish nationality. His inclusion is part of a strategy to ensure his future presence with the Albiceleste shirt.
Other notable selections are Maximo Perrone, who recently debuted for Manchester City at age 20, and Facundo Buonanotte, formerly of Rosario Central, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League at 18. Also highlighted are Valentin Carboni, 17, from Inter Milan, and Lautaro Blanco, 24, a left back formerly with Rosario Central who currently plays for Elche.
Players not included in the Qatar plan but kept in the broader pool include Nehuén Pérez, who was disappointed by his omission from the final squad, and Nicholas Gonzalez, who was forced to withdraw due to injury ahead of the debut against Saudi Arabia. Scaloni also named injured World Cup stars such as Papu Gómez and Gio Lo Celso, while Joaquín Correa was left out after recovering from injury and facing a similar situation to Nico González during Qatar.
Additionally, about a week after the list was published, the coach decided to add Giovani Simeone to the call, a player provisionally listed for Qatar who has been gaining minutes with Napoli this season.
TICKETS FOR ARGENTINA VS CURACAO
- Archer: Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martínez.
- Defenders: Juan Foyth, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Nehuén Pérez, Germán Pezzella, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Acuña, Lautaro Blanco.
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez, Enzo Fernández, Máximo Perrone, Exequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul, Facundo Buonanotte, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Ángel Di María, Ángel Correa, Emiliano Buendía, Valentín Carboni.
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolás González, Alejandro Gómez, Giovanni Simeone.
ARGENTINA’S TRAINING AGAINST PANAMA
It is believed that the coach will deploy the world champion formation used in the Qatar final against France and then alternate between seasoned World Cup players and promising youngsters.
If so, the starting eleven would be: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina Lucero, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis MacAllister; Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
REPLACEMENTS
To be determined.
Which post did you like the most?
- Real Betty
- sao paulo
- cremonese
- Ajax
- Burnley
15714
Thank you for voting
The results will appear shortly.
Which post did you like the most?
- 52% Real Betty
- eleven%sao paulo
- 5% cremonese
- 25% Ajax
- 7% Burnley
15714
Sources: Goal