June 11 (Reuters) - ⁠Defender Marcos Senesi has been ⁠called up to reigning World ‌Cup champions Argentina's squad, replacing the injured Leonardo Balerdi, the country's Football Association (AFA) ​announced on Thursday.

Marseille's Balerdi ⁠was dropped ⁠from Argentina's 26-man squad on Saturday ⁠after suffering ‌a right calf injury.

"Marcos Senesi joins the ⁠Argentina squad for the 2026 FIFA ​World ‌Cup," the AFA posted on ⁠X.

The 29-year-old ​Senesi, who has made three international appearances, has joined Premier ⁠League side Tottenham Hotspur ​following the expiry of his contract with Bournemouth.

Senesi missed only one Premier ⁠League game, helping Bournemouth to secure European qualification for the first time after finishing sixth.

The ​defending champions open ⁠their Group J campaign against Algeria ​on Tuesday before ‌facing Austria and Jordan.

(Reporting ​by Mohamed Yossry in Cairo, editing by Clare Fallon)