Argentina, the reigning World Cup and Copa America champion, will face Chile in the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers on Friday at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match is set to be a compelling encounter as Argentina looks to maintain their strong start to the qualifying campaign. Currently topping the standings with 15 points from six matches, they aim to solidify their position and secure a spot in the World Cup finals to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
However, Argentina will be without their star player, Lionel Messi, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during last month’s Copa America final. Messi’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, but coach Lionel Scaloni has shown confidence in his squad’s ability to perform without him. In addition to Messi, goalkeeper Franco Armani and striker Angel Di Maria have also been ruled out of the match, with Di Maria having announced his retirement from international football after the Copa America.
Despite the key absences, Argentina remains a formidable force with a talented squad. Scaloni has included new faces in the team, including midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez and striker Valentin Castellanos, alongside young players like Alejandro Garnacho, Valentin Carboni, Valentin Barco, and Matias Soule, who are eager to make their mark on the international stage.
Chile, on the other hand, are struggling to find their footing in the qualifying campaign. With just one win in their six matches, they are currently in eighth position. Their performance has been hampered by inconsistency, and they will be looking to turn things around in Buenos Aires.
The match promises to be an exciting clash between two South American rivals. While Argentina may be the favorites due to their current form and experience, Chile will be hoping to cause an upset. The top six teams in the CONMEBOL qualifiers will earn automatic qualification for the World Cup finals, while the seventh-placed team will have a chance to compete in the inter-confederation play-off.
The Argentina vs. Chile FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 AM IST on September 6th at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match will not be televised in India, but fans can follow live updates and commentary on Sportstar’s live blog.
