SAO PAULO: Argentina’s star player, Lionel Messi, is once again facing uncertainty regarding his participation in the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay. The Argentine captain, who scored in the opening 1-0 victory against Ecuador, had to sit out the 3-0 win against Bolivia last month due to muscular pains that have also kept him sidelined for several matches with Inter Miami in the MLS.
The reigning World Cup champions are scheduled to host Paraguay in Buenos Aires on Thursday. Messi’s potential absence from the match raises concerns for the Argentine team as they aim to continue their winning streak in the qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup.
In contrast, Brazil’s Vinicius Jr. missed the initial two games of the South American qualifying rounds due to an injury but has now made a successful recovery and is set to return to the starting lineup. Brazil and Argentina both currently boast a 2-0 record in the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash between the two archrivals in November.
As it stands, Colombia holds the third position in the 10-team standings with four points. Uruguay and Venezuela each have three points, closely followed by Paraguay, Peru, and Chile with one point each. Ecuador, despite their 2-1 win over Uruguay on Sept. 13, has yet to register a competition point due to FIFA’s decision to deduct points for the falsification of birth information concerning defender Byron Castillo, who originally hails from Colombia.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, the tournament is set to expand to a 48-team format, allowing direct entry for the top six teams in South America. The seventh-place team will engage in an intercontinental playoff for a chance to secure a berth in the prestigious event.
In other exciting developments, FIFA recently announced that Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay have been awarded the honour of hosting the opening matches of the 2030 World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, sparking celebrations in these countries as they eagerly anticipate the grand event.
