Alarcón’s Argentine citizenship Boosts Boca Juniors’ Transfer Prospects
boca Juniors is poised to gain a significant advantage in the upcoming transfer market, as Chilean midfielder Williams Alarcón is expected to obtain Argentine citizenship between January and February. This progress will free up a valuable foreign player slot, allowing the club to pursue additional international reinforcements as they prepare for the 2026 apertura Tournament and the Copa Libertadores.
Currently, Boca juniors has six foreign players registered: Chileans Williams Alarcón and Carlos Palacios, Spaniard Ander Herrera, Colombian Marino Hinestroza, and Uruguayans Edinson Cavani and Marcelo Saracchi. According to regulations set by the AFA (Argentine Football Association), teams are permitted a maximum of six non-EU nationals, but only five can be included on the team sheet for each match. The impending citizenship of Alarcón, and previously Uruguayan miguel Merentiel, will alleviate this restriction.
“This is a crucial step for the club’s planning,” stated a source close to the Boca Juniors board. “It opens up possibilities we didn’t have before.”
Alarcón’s Journey to Citizenship
The 25-year-old Alarcón, who previously played for Colo colo, Unión La calera, Ibiza in spain, and Huracán, initiated the nationalization process last year, fulfilling the requirement of two years of residency in Argentina. He joined Boca Juniors in 2023 after a stint with Huracán. Despite interest from Mexican club Necaxa, Boca Juniors rejected their offer, deeming it insufficient.
The club, under the direction of Claudio Ubeda, intends to maintain its current foreign player roster – Alarcón, Herrera, Palacios, Hinestroza, and cavani – for the first half of the year. Saracchi, currently on loan at Celtic in Scotland until june, does not immediately free up a spot. However, once Alarcón is officially recognized as a local player, Boca Juniors will have an additional opening for a foreign signing.
Transfer Window Dynamics
The Argentine transfer market will close on Tuesday, January 20th at 6:00 p.m. Clubs will have an extended window until Tuesday, March 10th, to make signings if they transfer players abroad. Currently, Boca Juniors is focused on potential acquisitions from San Lorenzo, specifically Gaston Hernandez and Alexis Cuello, though negotiations regarding Hernandez’s transfer fee are ongoing. San Lorenzo owns 60% of Cuello’s contract, with the remaining 40% held by Almagro.
Giménez’s Paraguayan Nationalization and World Cup Aspirations
Beyond the club level,the recent Paraguayan citizenship granted to Boca Juniors forward Milton Giménez has implications for the 2026 World Cup. While the 29-year-old has completed the necessary procedures to represent the Albirroja (Paraguay’s national team), his path to a roster spot is challenging.
Giménez, who has scored 17 goals in 59 games for Boca Juniors, was not part of the Paraguayan squad during the recent World Cup Qualifiers.competition for forward positions is fierce, with established players like Antonio Sanabria, Gabriel Ávalos, Alex Arce, Ronaldo Martínez, Isidro Pitta, and Adam bareiro already vying for selection.
“his inclusion depends entirely on his performance this year,” explained a Paraguayan football analyst. “Alfaro will be looking for players who are consistently delivering results.”
Paraguay has been drawn into Group D for the 2026 World Cup, alongside the United States, Australia, and a team from the European playoffs. Their return to the World Cup stage, after a 16-year absence, begins on June 12th in Los Angeles against the host nation. The upcoming FIFA date in March, featuring two preparatory friendlies, will be a critical opportunity for Giménez and other hopefuls to impress coach Gustavo Alfaro.
