Argentina to field reserve squad against Jordan in final 2026 World Cup qualifier

The Argentine national team is set to face Jordan in their final Group J match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a game with little consequence for the reigning champions. Having already secured their place in the knockout stage and clinched the top spot in the group with decisive victories over Algeria and Austria, coach Lionel Scaloni plans to utilize a squad composed primarily of players who have not started the tournament.

This approach allows key players to rest while giving opportunities to others. Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez is one of the few regulars expected to start against Jordan. The defense will likely feature Nicolás Otamendi and Marcos Senesi at center-back, with Nicolás Tagliafico at left-back. Gonzalo Montiel is competing for the right-back position. Cristian 'Cuti' Romero will be rested due to a recent knee knock, similar to the injury that troubled him before the tournament.

The midfield and attack will see five players who have not yet started feature from the beginning: Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Nico Paz, and Julián Álvarez. Lautaro Martínez is expected to play to build confidence, while Lionel Messi is slated to come on as a substitute in the second half.

For Jordan, this match marks their farewell to their first-ever World Cup appearance. Having lost their previous matches against Austria and Algeria, they are mathematically eliminated. Despite the long odds, the Jordanian team hopes to cause an upset against the formidable Argentine side in their final outing.

The match will be broadcast live on various channels, including DSports, Telefé, TyC Sports, and the TV Pública, with streaming options available on Flow, DGO, and Telecentro Play, as well as Disney+ Premium and Paramount+. Live minute-by-minute coverage with statistics will be provided on canchallena.com.