Argentina Hosts Chile in World Cup Qualifiers Amid Messi’s Absence

Buenos Aires – Argentina will host Chile on Friday at the Estadio Monumental in the seventh round of South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Brazil looks to stop its downfall after three consecutive defeats.

Eight-time player of the year Dybala was not named in the two-match World Champion squad against Chile and then Colombia.

Messi (aged 37) has been sidelined since suffering an injury in mid-July during the Copa America final, which did not prevent his country from retaining the continental title with a 1-0 win over Colombia.

Scaloni on Messi’s Absence and Dybala’s Exclusion

Regarding the absence of the American Inter Miami player, coach Lionel Scaloni said, “He told me that he is improving and that he is returning to the club.” “It is too early to include him in the team, as he has not been fully involved in training recently.”

Calling up Italian Roma striker Dybala, who was absent from the Copa America-winning squad, Scaloni said, “No Dybala’s withdrawal is related to his stay in Italy. We value him for what he can give on the field. The players have been selected according to the needs of the squad.”

Argentina’s Squad and Standings

Argentina lead the table with 15 points from 6 matches, losing 0-2 to Uruguay last November, two points ahead of second-placed Uruguay, while Colombia are third with 12 points.

The top six teams qualify directly for the World Cup finals and the seventh goes to a global play-off. Scaloni defended the option of striker Julian Alvarez, who moved to Spanish club Atletico Madrid from English champions Manchester City, is starting slowly under the tutelage of his compatriot Diego Simeone, who is expected to start alongside Nicolas Gonzalez, along with Lautaro Martinez.

Brazil Looks to Stop Downfall

In Curitiba, Brazil will be looking to stop dropping points when it welcomes the five-time world champions and only participants in all editions of the World Cup, before meeting seventh-placed Paraguay, fifth with eight points from Ecuador in Asuncion.

After an opening win over Bolivia, Brazil collapsed, suffering four defeats, the last of which was a 0–1 loss to Argentina in November, the first in playoff history at home.

Brazil’s Squad and Injuries

Veteran Sao Paulo striker Lucas Moura has returned to the Brazil squad after a six-year absence, to replace the injured Savinho, while the 32-year-old thought it was a “joke” at first, adding, “It was great fun, a similar feeling to my first call-up in 2011 when I 18. “I’ve been waiting for that moment.”

Brazil, which is counting on Real Madrid’s Spanish striker Vinicius Jr., is missing Flamengo’s attacking star, Pedro Selecao, who injured his left knee in training on Wednesday and will be replaced by João Pedro, a player from Brighton English.

Uruguay and Colombia’s Chances

Uruguay, world champions in 1930 and 1950 and runners-up to Argentina by two points, are eyeing a fourth straight win… Paraguay, while Colombia, third, three points off the lead, hopes to capitalize on its hosts’ upset situation.