Nicolás Otamendi
Argentina
DEF
Age
38
Appearances
0
Tackles won
0
About Nicolás Otamendi
Nicolás Otamendi is a confirmed defender in Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, a centre-back named in Lionel Scaloni's final 26. The Benfica defender is 38 at kick-off and brings 130 senior Argentina caps and eight international goals into the tournament, having featured at the 2010, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Argentina face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J, opening against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June, then Austria in Arlington on 22 June and Jordan in Arlington on 27 June. Scaloni's side qualified by winning the CONMEBOL round-robin on 25 March 2025, securing their place over a year before the tournament, and Otamendi is listed among the centre-backs in the defensive group.
Argentina face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J, opening against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June, then Austria in Arlington on 22 June and Jordan in Arlington on 27 June. Scaloni's side qualified by winning the CONMEBOL round-robin on 25 March 2025, securing their place over a year before the tournament, and Otamendi is listed among the centre-backs in the defensive group.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Tackles won
0
Interceptions
0
Clearances
0
Blocks
0
Playing Style
Otamendi is a right-sided centre-back, a dominant aerial defender who reads the game well and marshals the back line. Strength in the air, positioning and recovery are at the core of his defending, with the line-keeping discipline expected of a senior international at the heart of the back four.
His aerial ability is a threat at both ends, and his eight international goals are a notable return for a centre-back. With 130 caps, he is a constant inside Argentina's defensive group.
His aerial ability is a threat at both ends, and his eight international goals are a notable return for a centre-back. With 130 caps, he is a constant inside Argentina's defensive group.
World Cup History
The 2026 tournament is set to be Otamendi's fourth World Cup, after he featured at the 2010, 2018 and 2022 editions for Argentina. He brings 130 caps and eight international goals into the squad as of 31 March 2026, a senior Argentina defender across four World Cup cycles.
Group J opens against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June, with Argentina having qualified through the CONMEBOL round-robin on 25 March 2025.
Group J opens against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June, with Argentina having qualified through the CONMEBOL round-robin on 25 March 2025.
National Team
Argentina
Tier 1
£32m
📋 Teammates (14)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Argentina sit in Tier 1 of the Goal Rush card at £32m, the top price band within the game's £200m card budget. The Group J draw — Algeria, Austria and Jordan — sets the early fixtures, with Argentina having qualified through the CONMEBOL round-robin on 25 March 2025.
Otamendi's contribution to that team card is defensive: aerial command, reading the game and marshalling Argentina's back line, 130 caps of centre-back defending rather than goal output up front. He adds a defensive presence to a premium team card.
Otamendi's contribution to that team card is defensive: aerial command, reading the game and marshalling Argentina's back line, 130 caps of centre-back defending rather than goal output up front. He adds a defensive presence to a premium team card.
🏆 Goal Rush
Want Nicolás Otamendi's Goals in Your Card?
Select Argentina (Tier 1, £32m) in Goal Rush and every goal Nicolás Otamendi scores counts towards your total.
Otamendi at the 2026 World Cup
Nicolás Otamendi is named in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup as a centre-back. The tournament is set to be his fourth World Cup, after he featured at the 2010, 2018 and 2022 editions, and he brings 130 caps and eight international goals into an Argentina side that opens its Group J campaign against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June.
Picking Argentina in Goal Rush
Argentina are a Tier 1 call on the Goal Rush card at £32m, the top band within the game's £200m card budget. Otamendi sits in that Argentina team card as a centre-back; with limited goal output from defence, the slot pays off most on the matchdays he features, across a Group J schedule against Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Nicolás Otamendi World Cup 2026 FAQs
Otamendi plays for Argentina, a Tier 1 side at £32m per slot on the Goal Rush card. As a centre-back rather than an attacker, the matchday signal matters most: his Goal Rush relevance is stronger when he is named in Scaloni's XI.
Otamendi is a centre-back. He is a right-sided central defender and dominant aerial presence who reads the game well and marshals the back line for Argentina, with eight international goals from his time at the back.
Otamendi has 130 caps for Argentina as of 31 March 2026, with eight international goals. He is in Lionel Scaloni's final 26 for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be his fourth World Cup after 2010, 2018 and 2022.
Otamendi plays for Benfica. He is named in Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the team opening Group J against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 16 June.
100% Deposit Bonus For New Players Today*
Limited Offer For New Players