Argentina faced five games in 72 hours in Baku

Argentina's challenge is defined by the calendar: five matches in 72 hours. The squad led by Adrián Gallará begins the tournament on Saturday against Algeria, in a competition that puts the development of young players and the logistics of the event on the same plane.

Saturday: the opening against Algeria

The first game is scheduled for 2.00, Argentina time. The team then faces Chinese Taipei on Sunday at 5.45 and Oman at 12.30. On Monday, it plays Suriname at 4.30 and closes the group stage against Malawi at 11.15.

There is no usual margin for recovery. Each selection can play up to two games per day, and the whole tournament runs for only seven days. Gallará will have to manage minutes, physical load and emotional energy without losing sight of the objective: finish at the top of Group B to reach Level A, where the first world champion in this category will be defined.

• 32 groups, identified from A to AF, with 189 participating national teams.
• Eight players per team, including the goalkeeper.
• Two 20-minute halves, with five minutes of rest.
• Fields measuring 68 by 47 meters.
• Squads of up to 14 players born in 2011 or 2012.
• A total of nearly 950 games over six days.

A format that changes the rules

The competition breaks with the standard structure of youth football. Every team plays once against each opponent in the group stage, nobody is eliminated at that stage, and the winners advance to Level A. The remaining teams compete in Levels B, C, D, E and F. After the groups, the knockout matches determine the final positions.

For me, this is both a risk and an opportunity. The compressed schedule favors teams with greater experience and solid daily routines, because they can control the workload more easily. But the short games also reduce the impact of physical fatigue. A team can recover quickly, press high for a limited period and compete with a different intensity. Emerging selections can gain space if they are organized and brave.

“The key will not only be how Argentina plays, but also how Gallará builds the group day by day.”Javier Aquino, Deportes

Argentina travels to Baku with fourteen players. The coach has been in charge of the AFA's youth divisions since 2017, so he knows the challenge is not only sporting. He must prepare a squad for a tournament where every decision can change from one day to the next. The first reference will come against Algeria. The next 72 hours will show whether Argentina can adapt to the rhythm or whether the format will expose its limits. The forecast is cautious: the national team has the tools to compete, but its performance will depend on rotation, concentration and the ability to manage fatigue.