Lionel Messi loses key teammate for Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener
Argentina FIFA World Cup: With just over eight months remaining until the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, defending champions Argentina are preparing to defend the crown they claimed. Having Lionel Messi and other key players available will be crucial for their title defense. However, the team has suffered an early setback as they will be without one of their most experienced defenders in the opening match of the tournament.
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FIFA recently released a list of players still serving suspensions from international matches held during the September window, and Nicolas Otamendi was among those named. The Argentine defender, who currently plays for Benfica, received a red card in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. As a result, he was handed a one-match suspension along with a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to about 6,300 US dollars.
FIFA 2026: Otamendi’s Suspension Carries Over as Argentina Prepares for World Cup Opener Without Him
Since the South American World Cup qualifiers concluded last month, Otamendi no longer has the chance to serve his suspension in that competition. FIFA regulations state that if a player’s ban is not served during the qualifying rounds, it must carry over to the next official FIFA competition. Consequently, Otamendi will now be forced to miss Argentina’s opening game at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Argentina’s schedule for the remainder of 2025 includes four friendly matches between October and November. These games will wrap up the team’s activities for the year, with another friendly and a likely Finalissima clash against Spain planned for March. However, that match, while official, is co-hosted by UEFA and CONMEBOL and not organized by FIFA, meaning it does not count toward fulfilling any FIFA-imposed suspension.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Otamendi and Caicedo to Miss Opening Matches Due to Carry-Over Suspensions
FIFA’s regulations Stipulate That Pending match suspensions imposed as a result of a direct or indirect red card in matches of the preliminary competition for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be carried over to the final competition. This means Otamendi will be unavailable for Argentina’s first match of the group stage, serving the one-match ban during that fixture.
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This rule doesn’t just affect Otamendi. Another South American star, Moises Caicedo of Ecuador and Chelsea, was also sent off in the same game between Ecuador and Argentina. Therefore, Caicedo will likewise have to sit out Ecuador’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup. His absence will be a major blow to Ecuador, given how vital he is in their midfield setup.
Football World Cup 2026: Nicolas Otamendi’s Final World Cup Begins with Suspension Carry-Over Setback
While this kind of situation is not common, it is not unprecedented. In previous tournaments, several players have missed their teams’ opening World Cup games due to suspensions carried over from qualifying or previous official matches. During the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil, for example, Freddy Guarin missed Colombia’s first game against Greece due to a similar carry-over suspension.
Colombia went on to win that game 3–0. Likewise, Mario Mandzukic missed Croatia’s opening match against Brazil for the same reason, and Croatia lost that game 3–1. Otamendi’s case, however, carries additional significance. The veteran defender had already announced in September that he would not take part in another World Cup cycle after the 2026 edition. This means the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his last major international tournament.
Soccer World Cup: Argentina Faces Early Setback as Nicolas Otamendi Suspended for World Cup Opener
His red card against Ecuador in the final qualifier was not only his last in that campaign but also his final appearance in South American qualifiers, making the suspension even more unfortunate. Otamendi’s international career with Argentina has been long and decorated. Since making his debut in 2009, he has represented his country in three World Cups: South Africa 2010, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.
Despite the suspension, Otamendi’s leadership and experience will remain invaluable for Argentina as they aim to retain their World Cup title. His absence in the opening game will certainly be felt, but Argentina’s depth in defense could help them manage the setback. With players like Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, and German Pezzella available, the team has capable replacements who can step up in his place.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, Argentina’s preparation will continue with high expectations and determination. The defending champions will rely heavily on Lionel Messi’s brilliance and the cohesion of their talented squad. While Otamendi’s suspension is a minor early obstacle, Argentina’s focus will remain fixed on starting the tournament strong and making another deep run in pursuit of back-to-back World Cup glory.
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1. Why will Nicolas Otamendi miss Argentina’s first match at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Nicolas Otamendi will miss Argentina’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to a one-match suspension he received after being sent off in a qualifier against Ecuador. FIFA rules state that any unserved suspension from qualifiers carries over to the final tournament.
2. How did Otamendi’s suspension carry over to the Soccer World Cup?
According to FIFA regulations (Article 9.2), if a player’s suspension from a World Cup qualifier isn’t completed during the qualifying phase, it must be served in the next official FIFA competition. Since the qualifiers have ended, Otamendi’s ban applies to the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage opener.
3. Which other players will miss matches at the FIFA 2026 due to suspension?
Alongside Otamendi, Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo will also miss his nation’s first match at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both players were sent off in the same qualifier, and their suspensions carry over under FIFA’s disciplinary rules.
4. How important is Otamendi to Argentina’s defense for the World Cup?
Otamendi is one of Argentina’s most experienced defenders, having played in three previous World Cups. His absence in the first game of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be felt, but Argentina has solid replacements such as Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, and German Pezzella.
5. Can Argentina still start strong at the Football World Cup 2026 without Otamendi?
Yes, Argentina is expected to manage well despite Otamendi’s suspension. With their strong defensive depth and Lionel Messi leading the squad, the defending champions remain favorites to start the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with confidence and a winning performance.
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