Argentina's preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been disrupted by an unexpected concern inside the national team's training camp. With the tournament just around the corner, head coach Lionel Scaloni is closely monitoring the condition of Nicolás Paz, whose participation in the competition remains uncertain.

The talented midfielder has been dealing with discomfort in his left knee, limiting his ability to train at full intensity with the rest of the squad. As a result, Argentina's coaching staff has already begun preparing contingency plans in case a last-minute roster change becomes necessary.

Reports indicate that Scaloni personally contacted Emiliano Buendía and informed him to remain on standby. Buendía is currently part of the reserve group training in the United States and could quickly join the official squad if Paz fails to recover in time.

FIFA regulations allow teams to replace an injured player up to 24 hours before their opening match, provided that the injury is verified by the tournament's medical commission. This rule gives Argentina a narrow but important window to make a final decision.

Over the next few days, Nicolás Paz will undergo additional medical evaluations to determine whether he can withstand the physical demands of the World Cup. Argentina's staff is determined not to take unnecessary risks as the reigning champions seek to defend their crown.

For now, uncertainty remains. Buendía continues to prepare with full focus, knowing that one medical report could transform his role from reserve player to World Cup participant in a matter of hours.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live and for free on YouTube