Lionel Messi ruled out of Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil

Argentina will be without Lionel Messi for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, as the star forward has been sidelined due to a muscle strain. The 37-year-old, who recently scored a spectacular goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer (MLS), reportedly felt discomfort and will remain in the United States to recover.

Messi’s absence was confirmed on Monday when Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his squad for the crucial fixtures. The reigning world champions currently sit atop the CONMEBOL qualifying standings with 25 points after 12 matches. They will face second-placed Uruguay on Friday before hosting Brazil on March 25.

Brazil will also be without a key player, as Neymar—who was set to return to international duty after more than a year—has been ruled out with a muscle injury. Messi’s absence will be a significant blow for Argentina as they aim to strengthen their grip on qualification in the highly competitive South American group.

SportsLigue