By Pablo Barrera / Social Media Image

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA | The Argentine Football Association has officially announced its final major preparation test ahead of the World Cup in North America. Lionel Scaloni’s "Albiceleste" will host the Guatemala National Team next Tuesday, March 31, in Buenos Aires. While the exact venue and kickoff time are yet to be confirmed, all signs point to the Estadio Monumental as the stage for this historic clash.

ARGENTINA SQUAD: SCALONI’S POWERHOUSE

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has presented a star-studded roster led by captain Lionel Messi, blending the experience of World Champions with rising stars from European football:

•  Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), and Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid).
•  Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Marcos Senesi (AFC Bournemouth), Nicolás Otamendi (SL Benfica), Tomás Palacios (Estudiantes de La Plata), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon), Gabriel Rojas (Racing Club), and Marcos Acuña (River Plate).
•  Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Máximo Perrone (Como 1907), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Valentín Barco (Racing Strasbourg), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), and Exequiel Palacios (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
•  Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás Paz (Como 1907), Gianluca Prestianni (SL Benfica), Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid), José López (Palmeiras), and Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid).

GUATEMALA SQUAD: TENA’S CHALLENGE

On the other side, coach Luis Fernando Tena has selected 21 players, highlighting a strong base from the local league and international players currently in peak form:

 * José Agustín Ardón Castellanos (Antigua G.F.C.)

 * José Mario Rosales Marroquín (Antigua G.F.C.)

 * Oscar Alexander Santis Cayax (Antigua G.F.C.)

 * Oscar Antonio Castellanos Santos (Antigua G.F.C.)

 * Luis José Morán Varela (Antigua G.F.C.)

 * Diego André Fernández Chinchilla (Antigua G.F.C.)

 * Allen José Yanes Pinto (Deportivo Mixco)

 * Kenderson Alessandro Navarro Hernández (C.S.D. Municipal)

 * Carlos Daniel Aguilar Morales (C.S.D. Municipal)

 * Jonathan Francisco Franco González (C.S.D. Municipal)

 * José Alfredo Morales Concua (C.S.D. Municipal)

 * Rudy Josué Muñoz Boteo (C.S.D. Municipal)

 * José Carlos Pinto Samayoa (Comunicaciones F.C.)

 * Stheven Adán Robles Ruiz (Comunicaciones F.C.)

 * Darwin Gregorio Lom Moscoso (Club The Strongest)

 * Daniel Omar Mendez Sanchez (C.F. Pachuca)

 * Marcelo Adrián Hernández de León (C.S. Cartaginés)

 * Kevin Estuardo Ramirez Siguenza (Deportivo Malacateco)

 * Matthew Dominic Evans Wolff (L.A.F.C.)

 * Olger Escobar (C.F. Montreal)

 * Arquimidez Rafael Zacarias Ordoñez (Loudoun United F.C.)

Xela In Focus will closely follow every detail of this match, which is set to bring the country to a standstill.