Miami, Oct 8 (NationPress) Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni announced that spots in the squad for the 2026 World Cup remain available as the Albiceleste gears up for friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

He indicated that these games will serve as a platform to evaluate emerging talents ahead of the tournament set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

"We aim to provide opportunities for new players to prove themselves, to see if they can integrate into the team," he mentioned before the Friday match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium. "The goal is to utilize these encounters to experiment with different players."

The defending champions will have a three-day recovery period post-Venezuela before competing against Puerto Rico at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Although he acknowledged that a significant portion of his World Cup roster is already determined, Scaloni remarked that last-minute adjustments could still occur, reminiscent of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"You can never be certain, even with a solid base; unexpected situations can arise," he stated. "From our experience in the last World Cup, we know that last-minute withdrawals can happen. While the majority of the roster is in place, we remain open to changes."

"New players are being integrated and will continue to join if deemed appropriate."

Argentina secured its spot in next year’s prestigious tournament by finishing at the top of the South American qualifying group.

Scaloni emphasized that all pre-World Cup fixtures will be taken seriously, asserting that no match featuring Argentina is genuinely a friendly.

"We believe that every international match, whether official or friendly, presents a valuable opportunity," he said. "The upcoming challenges are crucial, and there is a lot at stake. We will give our utmost effort."