Fresh from capturing the 2026 world title, the Argentina women’s national field hockey team, Las Leonas, will feature seven world champions in their squad for the upcoming XIII South American Games (ODESUR). According to ESPN, the tournament is scheduled to run from September 12 to 26, 2026, with matches hosted at the Estadio de la Asociación Santafesina de Hockey in Santa Fe.
Tournament Format and Regional Competitors
According to tournament reporting from Deportes V, the women’s competition at the ODESUR Games features a single round-robin group consisting of five national teams. Argentina will face Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay in a series of matches where each victory awards three points, a draw gives one point, and a loss results in zero points.
The structure eliminates traditional semifinals. According to ESPN, the two highest-ranking teams at the conclusion of the round-robin stage advance directly to the gold-medal match. Meanwhile, the third- and fourth-place finishers will compete for the bronze medal, and the fifth-place team will conclude its tournament run.
Las Leonas Roster and World Champion Core
Head coach Juan Martín López named an 18-player roster that integrates experienced veterans with the rising stars who recently triumphed on the global stage. According to Rosario3, the seven players carrying over their world champion status from Amstelveen are Mercedes Artola, Emma Knobl, Milagros Alastra, Sofía Cairó, Lara Casas, Zoe Díaz, and Brisa Bruggesser.
Forward Sofía Cairó commands particular attention following her performance in the recent world championship final, where she converted the decisive penalty stroke against the Netherlands to secure the third world title for Argentina. The roster is rounded out by Sol Pagella, Daiana Pacheco, Pilar Palacio, Chiara Ambrosini, Victoria Falasco, Catalina Andrade, Lourdes Pisthon, Sol Guignet, and Pilar Pisthon. Additionally, Paula Santamarina and Ana Luz Dodorico will travel with the delegation as reserves, as reported by ESPN.
Confirmed Match Schedule in Santa Fe
Las Leonas open their regional campaign on Monday, September 14, at 10:00 local time against Paraguay. According to the official fixture published by ESPN, the team continues group play on Tuesday, September 15, facing Uruguay at 14:00. Argentina meets Chile on Friday, September 18, at 12:00, and concludes the round-robin phase against Peru on Sunday, September 20, at 14:00.
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