High price of downfall: Garnacho isn’t even considered for Argentina’s WC squad
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 24.03.26. | 23:19
According to the information from his homeland, the forward's insufficient playing time at Stamford Bridge could take a serious toll on his national team aspirations
Last week, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni announced the squad for the World Champions’ friendly duels against African opponents, Mauritania and Zambia.
Alejandro Garnacho was not included, and it’s not unexpected given his recent form. After all, the 47-year-old tactician snubbed some even more considerable names, such as Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid.
However, while the 18-year-old still has decent chances of making the cut and securing a seat on the plane to the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Garnacho faces long odds, as the likelihood of him featuring at the upcoming FIFA World Cup is minimal. At least that’s what the credible journalist of the Argentinian TyC Sports, Gaston Edul, claims.
‼️ At the moment, Alejandro Garnacho is not even being considered for the World Cup squad by Lionel Scaloni.
— OluyemiCFC (@Oluwayemicfc) March 24, 2026
🔗 Gaston Edul - TyC Sports pic.twitter.com/7E21FWVzF5
The forward’s inconsistent playing time at Chelsea, his subpar performances, the team’s generally lackluster form, and the strong competition for places in Scaloni’s squad have apparently taken a serious toll on his national team aspirations.
This season, Garnacho made 36 appearances for the Blues, scoring 7 goals and providing 4 assists, while averaging just over 50 minutes per game. Nevertheless, despite not too shabby numbers, the Argentina boss does not see the 21-year-old as an important cog in his machinery.
His latest choices undeniably prove this statement.
Namely, Scaloni opted for some - at first glance - less attractive names who play in less famous clubs, like Nico Paz (Como), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), and Jose Lopez (Palmeiras), while Joaquin Panichelli (Strasbourg) was extremely close to making the team.
Unlike Garnacho, these lads play winning football, feature regularly for their sides with significant confidence, and, most importantly, have crucial roles - something that under no circumstances can be said of the ex-Man United forward.
If we add the aforementioned Mastantuono and the injured Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez, the claims from Argentina become highly plausible and understandable.
Hence, Garnacho will most likely be deprived of the chance to appear in his second World Cup, becoming another example of what poor career choices can do to a player and how much they can set one's career back.