Julián Álvarez received a genuine cold shower on the eve of the start of the 2026 World Cup: all indications are that the Manchester City forward will begin on the bench against Algeria, losing his place in the starting eleven to Lautaro Martínez. The decision, surprising to many, drastically alters the expectations surrounding one of the main figures of the Argentine national team, which arrives at this edition of the World Cup as the defending champion and with ambitions to make history.
The coach Lionel Scaloni, who is already preparing for Argentina’s debut next Tuesday in Kansas City, is inclined to bet on Lautaro Martínez, captain of Inter Milan and the top scorer in Serie A with 17 goals this season. According to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, Martínez will start against Algeria, relegating Álvarez to the bench right from the first match of the tournament. This decision is surprising, considering Álvarez’s crucial role in winning the world title in 2022, where he shone by scoring four goals – two of them against Croatia in the semi-finals, as well as scoring against Poland and Australia.
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This tactical change by Scaloni is not unprecedented. In the last World Cup, the coach initially opted for Lautaro in the starting eleven, but the unexpected defeat against Saudi Arabia (2-1) forced an immediate change. That was when Julián Álvarez seized the opportunity and never let it go, becoming one of the heroes of Argentina’s campaign in Qatar. Now, the question arises again: is Scaloni repeating a past mistake or will Lautaro fully justify this bet this time?
The importance of this clash goes beyond the rivalry between two of the best Argentine forwards of the moment. The status of world champion places extra pressure on the Pampas national team, which is seeking to become the first nation to defend the title since Brazil in 1962. The choice of who will start in the attack could be decisive for the beginning of the campaign and for the morale of the squad. For Argentine fans, accustomed to the vibrant football of Álvarez, this decision may be seen as risky, especially considering the immediate impact he had four years ago.
“Martínez is currently in the lead for the starting position,” revealed Gastón Edul, in a post that quickly ignited social media among Argentine fans. The news spread like wildfire, fueling speculation about the tactical system that Scaloni will choose – between 5-3-2 and 4-4-2 – and about the possibility of Molina and Montiel sharing minutes at right back. The coach seems determined to keep all options open, but the uncertainty surrounding Álvarez’s starting position does not leave anyone indifferent.
On the eve of the match against Algeria, Scaloni also made it clear that he intends to test different offensive dynamics: “We are working to have various solutions in attack. The choice of the starter always depends on the opponent and the moment of the team,” the coach stated at a recent press conference. Julián Álvarez, for his part, maintains his usual stance and assures that he is ready to help the national team whenever called upon: “The most important thing is for Argentina to win, regardless of who is on the pitch,” emphasized the Manchester City forward, displaying fair play but not hiding his ambition to be a key player again.
With the debut set for Tuesday and the pressure mounting, it remains to be seen whether the bet on Lautaro Martínez will be long-lasting or if Scaloni will once again turn to Álvarez’s talent to unlock difficult matches. Recent history shows that the coach does not hesitate to make changes if things do not go as planned, and many believe that Julián Álvarez will eventually secure a prominent place throughout the tournament. For now, however, the 2026 World Cup begins with an unexpected setback for the Manchester City forward, who will have to wait for his opportunity to shine again on the most demanding stages of world football.
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