Pablo Maffeo Aims for World Cup Selection with Argentina

Pablo Maffeo aspires to represent Argentina in the upcoming World Cup. Following a tumultuous summer filled with speculation regarding his departure from Mallorca, the defender from Sant Joan Despí has firmly established himself as a key player on the right flank of Jagoba Arrasate’s squad. His exceptional performances have earned him recognition as the top right-back across the five major European leagues, as reported by Who Scored, placing him alongside notable players like Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé in their ideal lineup.

Having played nine league matches for Mallorca this season, Maffeo continues to perform at the high standard expected by the club’s supporters. In 2023, he received a call-up from national team coach Lionel Scaloni for matches against Uruguay and Brazil during the qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Although Maffeo did not make his official debut during that call-up, Scaloni, who resides on the island, frequently attends matches at Son Moix to monitor the player’s progress closely.

In the current 2025/26 season, Maffeo has already scored once in La Liga, netting a stunning left-footed goal against Levante, which earned Mallorca a vital point in a 1-1 draw.

Argentina is set to issue just one more call-up before the World Cup, which will be for the Finalissima, a match pitting Argentina against Spain in March 2026 in Lusail, Qatar.

The recent national team call-up highlighted the ongoing competition for the right-back position. Nahuel Molina, who has seen diminished playing time at Atlético Madrid, was not included for the friendly against Angola. Instead, Scaloni chose Juan Foyth, who often plays as a central defender but can also support the right-back role. A notable addition to the latest Argentine roster was Kevin Mac Allister, a player from Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, who made his debut in this call-up.