Scaloni expected to shuffle Argentina’s pack against Jordan

Aregntina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to ring the changes for the side’s final Group J match against Jordan, with as many as seven players in line to make their World Cup debuts.

The Albiceleste face Jordan at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will be hoping to continue their perfect run at the tournament after convincing 3-0 and 2-0 wins over Algeria and Austria respectively. Their Asian opponents are practically eliminated, after suffering two losses in their first World Cup campaign to date.

Qualification for the knockouts is already assured for Argentina, who will top their group given their head-to-head record against their rivals. With that in mind, Scaloni is set to rest some of his key men and use the match against Jordan to give the rest of his squad some minutes on the pitch.

In goal, Scaloni could decide to rest Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, who came into the tournament carrying a hand injury. Switching the keeper would lead to World Cup debut number one; Gerónimo Rulli was part of the squad at Qatar 2022, though he didn’t get onto the pitch. The other alternative is Atlético Madrid stopper Juan Musso, who was part of the squad that won the Copa América in 2021 but was not selected for the last World Cup and is experiencing the tournament for the first time.

In defence, Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero has been ruled out due to a niggle in his right knee, the injury that forced him off the pitch against Austria. Veteran centre-back Nicolás Otamendi is the likely replacement, but new Tottenham Hotspur signing Marcos Senesi could also get the nod; he replaced the injured Leonardo Balerdi in the squad and this is his first taste of a World Cup.

Argentina’s midfield could also see World Cup debutants. Giovani Lo Celso, a key player throughout Scaloni’s tenure, was a Copa América winner in 2021 and 2024 and a Finalíssima winner in 2022, but he missed the World Cup in Qatar through injury. He was also part of the squad at Russia 2018, although he did not feature.

Another potential debutant is soon-to-be Chelsea youngster Valentín Barco, who earned a place in the squad after an outstanding season for Racing Strasbourg and strong performances in the pre-tournament friendlies. He scored the winning goal against Iceland in the lead-up to the World Cup and will be looking to add to his tally.

The list of potential debutants is rounded off by Giuliano Simeone and José Manuel López, two players who represent the generational change that is beginning to take hold in the national team. The Atlético Madrid striker has played more minutes than the Palmeiras forward, although neither has featured at this World Cup yet.

In López’s case, his place in the starting line-up looks less certain, with Julián Álvarez, who is returning to fitness, likely to be the first-choice starter.

Jordan’s tournament so far

World Cup debutants Jordan have lost their opening two matches, though they have definitely put up a fight.

In the side’s first Group J match, they gave Austria a scare, scoring their first World Cup goal in a 3-1 loss.

The Austrians went ahead at Levi's Stadium near San Francisco when Romano Schmid produced a brilliant opening goal, smashing in a shot from distance.

Jordan never stopped chasing the game and Ali Olwan's glancing header nearly put them level before he scored the first World Cup goal in his country's history.

It was worth the wait. Olwan cut in and directed a superb right-footed shot Austria 'keeper past Alexander Schlager and off the post.

Austria regained the lead in the 76th minute thanks to an own goal from Yazan al-Arab before 37-year-old former West Ham man Marko Arnautovic added a stoppage-time penalty to make the game safe.

Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in the Asian side’s second game last Monday – a result that confirmed their elimination from the tournament.

Amine Gouiri equalized Nizar al-Rashdan's opening goal before Nadhir Benbouali scored Algeria's winner in the 82nd minute in Santa Clara.

Jordan’s match against Argentina will be their farewell to the 2026 World Cup.

– TIMES/AFP/NA

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