Messi will absent from Argentina squad for qualifiers
Injured Messi absent from Argentina squad for qualifiers, Argentina will host Chile on September 6, before facing Colombia in Barranquilla 4 days later.
With Paulo Dybala recalled to Lionel Scaloni’s squad on Monday, Argentina’s Lionel Messi will miss the team’s next 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to injury.
Messi has not played for his club Inter Miami since he injured his ankle during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final.
Roma striker Dybala has not played for his national team since March 2023 but could get a chance to extend his 38 caps in Messi’s absence.
The reigning World Cup winners will also be without Angel Di Maria as the experienced winger has ended his international career.
Argentina currently leads the South American qualifiers for the 2026 tournament, which feature the United States, Canada and Mexico. The top six teams in the 10-nation table will automatically qualify for the final.
Scaloni’s team will host Chile on September 6 before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Villa), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Jerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Walter Benítez (PSV)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Valentín Barco (both Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (River Plate), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United) and Nicola Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (West Ham), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al-Qadsia), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham)
Strikers: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Valentin Carboni (Monza), Julián Alvarez, Juliano Simeone (both Atletico Madrid), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio), Matias Soure, Paulo Dybala (Roma)
