The FIFA World Cup has commenced, and Argentina have begun preparations for their group-stage fixtures amid concerns over injuries affecting several key players. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is monitoring the situation closely as the squad progresses through the early stages of the tournament.
Among the confirmed absentees for the opening matches is defender Nicolás Tagliafico. He will not be available for Argentina’s fixtures scheduled on 17 and 22 June. This development has been reported by sports journalist Fernando Czyz, who provided details regarding the player’s condition.
According to the information available, Tagliafico has sustained a minor strain in the soleus muscle of his left leg. This type of injury affects the lower calf region and can impact a player’s ability to run and maintain balance at competitive intensity. Although the injury is described as mild, the team management has opted not to risk his participation in the early matches of the tournament.
The Argentina coaching staff, in consultation with the medical team, have decided that Tagliafico will remain with the squad rather than being sidelined separately. His condition will be assessed after each training session, with monitoring scheduled to continue until Sunday. This approach allows the staff to evaluate his recovery progress on a day-to-day basis while keeping him integrated within the team environment.
Fernando Czyz also indicated that Tagliafico is not expected to feature in the matches against Algeria and Austria. As a result, Argentina will have to adjust their defensive setup for these fixtures, which form part of their initial group-stage campaign.
Argentina have been placed in Group J for the tournament. Their group-stage opponents are Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The team is set to begin its World Cup campaign on 17 June, with subsequent matches following the official schedule of the competition.
A summary of the key details regarding Tagliafico’s situation and Argentina’s group-stage fixtures is presented below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Nicolás Tagliafico |
| Injury | Minor strain in left soleus muscle |
| Matches Missed | 17 June and 22 June |
| Opponents | Algeria, Austria |
| Monitoring Period | Until Sunday |
| Group | J |
| Other Opponent | Jordan |
Argentina’s preparations continue in parallel with ongoing injury assessments. The coaching and medical teams are working jointly to ensure that player availability is managed carefully throughout the tournament. Tagliafico’s absence in the opening fixtures represents a confirmed adjustment, while further updates will depend on his recovery progress during the monitoring period.