Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia through injury, with Paulo Dybala recalled to coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad on Monday. Messi has not played for club side Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final. Roma forward Dybala has not made an international appearance since March 2023 but could get an opportunity to add to his 38 caps in Messi’s absence.
The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger’s international retirement. Argentina are currently top of South American qualifying for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The top six teams in the 10-nation table will qualify automatically for the finals. Scaloni’s men will host Chile on 6 September, before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later. Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Juan Musso (Atalanta/ITA), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille/FRA), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven/NED)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/ESP), Nahuel Molina (A tletico Madrid/ESP), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille/FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG), German Pezzella (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon/FRA), Valentin Barco (Sevilla/ESP).
Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (West Ham/ENG), Leandro Paredes (Roma/ITA), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool/ENG), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsiah/KSA), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/ENG), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham/ENG)
Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina/ITA), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Valentin Carboni (Monza/ITA) Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio/ITA), Matias Soule (Roma/ITA), Paulo Dybala (Roma/ITA)
Source: Supersport
In other news – Kim Kardashian becomes soccer mom as kids plan to set her up on a date
Kim Kardashian stepped out with her eldest son, Saint, to meet soccer players in Madrid after revealing that her kids have been trying to set her up with another athlete. The SKIMS co-founder shared several pictures and videos on her Instagram Stories of the 8-year-old posing with Real Madrid athletes.
In regards to this, Kardashian, Saint and one of his friends also took a selfie with Bellingham and some of his teammates, including David Alaba and Vinicius Junior. Kim Kardashian becomes soccer mom as kids plan to set her up on the date. Read more
