Nico Paz to become first Argentina World Cup player with no Argentine club history

Who: Nico Paz, a 2004-born midfielder. What: He will travel with Argentina to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, according to Marca citing Siempre Seleccion, will be the first player in Argentina's World Cup history to take part in the tournament without ever having played for a club in Argentina at any level. When: Argentina arrived in the United States in late May/early June 2026 to begin final preparations for the 2026 World Cup; Paz is among the 26 players on the roster. Why it matters: This milestone highlights changing talent pathways as more Argentine internationals develop entirely overseas, and it raises questions about selection trends and scouting beyond domestic leagues.

Why it matters

Argentina's squad selection for major tournaments has traditionally featured players who either started or spent time in the Argentine club system. If the report is correct, Paz becomes a unique example of a player who reached the national team and a World Cup without any club ties to Argentina, underscoring how elite academies in Europe — and transfers at young ages — are altering the makeup of national teams.

Paz's background and club career, as reported

Nico Paz was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, in 2004 and chose to represent Argentina through his family roots. His father, Pablo Paz, was part of Argentina's 1998 World Cup squad and played against Croatia in that tournament. Nicolas began his youth career at Atletico San Juan and C.D. Tenerife in his hometown before joining Real Madrid's academy. He made his professional debut for Real Madrid in November 2023, registering eight appearances and one goal for the club before moving on loan to, and later signing permanently for, Italy's Como 1907, where he has spent the last two seasons.

International experience and World Cup selection

Paz is one of Argentina's least experienced internationals by caps. According to the report, he made his Argentina debut against Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in October 2024 and has eight caps in total: four official matches and four friendlies. He is included among the 26 players with Argentina as they begin pre-World Cup preparations in the United States.

• Paz born in Spain (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) in 2004 — chose to represent Argentina.
• Has never played for an Argentine club at youth or senior level, per Marca/Siempre Seleccion.
• Made professional debut for Real Madrid in November 2023; moved to Como 1907 (initially on loan, later permanent).
• Eight Argentina caps (four friendlies, four official matches) after debuting in October 2024.
• Listed among Argentina's 26-man squad preparing in the United States for the 2026 World Cup.

How this compares to other Argentina internationals

The report highlights that while other Argentina stars have spent little or no professional time in the domestic leagues — Lionel Messi is the most obvious example, having left for Barcelona as a teenager after youth spells at Newell's Old Boys — none have reached a World Cup having never played for a club in Argentina at any youth or senior level. Emiliano Martínez and Giuliano Simeone are cited as comparable modern examples who left Argentina early in their careers but still had domestic ties at youth level before moving abroad.

Context: selection, scouting and modern pathways

Paz's inclusion illustrates the scouting reach of Argentina's national setup and the willingness to integrate players developed entirely overseas. It also reflects broader global trends in which top European academies recruit and develop players who retain eligibility for South American national teams. For Argentina, a side with a deep pool of talent, selecting a relatively inexperienced player who never appeared for an Argentine club shows confidence in his readiness and the coaching staff's assessment.

What happens next

Argentina will continue final preparations in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The immediate next steps for verifying this milestone are official confirmation from the Argentine Football Association or tournament roster publication, and any further comments from the player or coaching staff. The supplied report is the basis for the unique historical claim and should be cross-checked with primary sources where possible.