Three Argentina internationals – Julián Álvarez, Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone – have been withdrawn from the national squad ahead of the team’s final fixture of the year. According to health regulations, the trio failed to comply with vaccination requirements against yellow fever, a mandatory condition for travel to certain regions in Africa.
Argentina are scheduled to play their last match of the year this Friday against Angola, a Central African nation where yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all visitors. Health authorities have also recommended preventive measures against seven other tropical diseases, but Álvarez, Molina and Simeone were unable to submit the required vaccination certificates within the deadline.
As a result, national team coach Lionel Scaloni has been forced to exclude them from his previously announced 26-man squad. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed the decision in an official statement, noting that the health and safety of the players and staff remain a top priority for the federation.
In addition, defender Enzo Fernández has already been ruled out due to a knee injury, further complicating Argentina’s defensive options ahead of the upcoming friendly.
Below is a summary of the players omitted from the squad:
| Player Name | Position | Reason for Exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Julián Álvarez | Forward | Failure to provide yellow fever vaccine record |
| Nahuel Molina | Defender | Failure to provide yellow fever vaccine record |
| Giuliano Simeone | Forward | Failure to provide yellow fever vaccine record |
The AFA has stated that all players must adhere strictly to international travel and vaccination requirements in future tours to avoid similar situations. Team officials are reportedly considering calling up replacements to ensure the squad remains balanced ahead of Friday’s encounter.