The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification process heats up as Argentina, reigning champions of both the World Cup and Copa America, squares off against Chile at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match, scheduled for Friday, September 6th at 5:30 AM IST, carries significant weight for both nations as they vie for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
Argentina currently sits comfortably atop the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 15 points, having secured victories in five out of their six matches. Chile, on the other hand, faces a tougher road, languishing in eighth place with only one win and three losses in their six games. The top six teams in the group will earn automatic qualification to the World Cup, which is set to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The seventh-placed team will have a chance to compete in an inter-confederation playoff.
Adding to the drama, Argentina will be without talismanic captain Lionel Messi, who was left out of the 28-man squad due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final in the United States last month. River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani and veteran striker Angel Di Maria, who retired from international football after the Copa America, are also absent from the squad.
In their place, coach Lionel Scaloni has summoned a mix of experience and youthful talent. Midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez and striker Valentin Castellanos earn their first call-ups to the national team, while young players like Alejandro Garnacho, Valentin Carboni, Valentin Barco, and Matias Soule, all with limited international experience, will look to make their mark.
The match will not be televised in India but fans can follow live updates through Sportstar’s blog. As Argentina seeks to maintain its dominant form without Messi and Chile fights to climb the table, this encounter promises to be a captivating clash of CONMEBOL giants.
