Cristian Romero Named in Argentina’s Preliminary Squad for 2026 World Cup
Lionel Scaloni has announced Argentina’s 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup. As anticipated, Cristian Romero, alongside other prominent players, features in the lineup, which includes well-known World Champions and Champions League veterans. Romero finds his place in the defense among Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Leonardo Balerdi.
The Standard provides the complete squad details. Widely seen as a key starter for Argentina, Romero has formed one of the world’s most formidable central defensive partnerships alongside Lisandro Martinez. This assessment by his national team coach, influenced by performances during the 2022 World Cup triumph, the 2024 Copa America, and consistent international outings, lends Romero an element of security regarding short-term injury challenges.
Scaloni’s selection of Romero is based not on his recent performance but on three years of reliability, indicating that a fit €50m Cristian Romero is essential to his defensive strategy.
Is Cristian Romero in a Race Against Time?
The main question surrounding his inclusion is not if he will be selected but whether he will be fit enough to contribute effectively. Reports from the AFA indicate that Argentina anticipates his full recovery in time for the pre-tournament friendlies in June. Romero is managing a knee ligament injury sustained against Sunderland, with the World Cup timeline providing a clear recovery goal for the medical team.
His inclusion in the preliminary squad was never in doubt. The critical question remains whether he will make the final roster, and importantly, what his ongoing presence in Buenos Aires or training camps could mean for his availability at Hotspur Way.
Romero has been sidelined since the match against Sunderland. Meanwhile, De Zerbi has built a defensive partnership between Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven, which has yielded three consecutive clean sheets, contributing to the club’s improved performance. Although Romero’s absence affects quality and leadership, it has not proved disastrous for the team. This absence may extend into the next season as speculation grows around the likelihood of Romero leaving the club.