Lionel Messi is already looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup and enjoying what could be his final stretch of games in an Argentina jersey, with Colombia up next on Tuesday. The legendary forward received a boost this week, as Argentina is set to welcome back four key players for the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Argentina secured a hard-fought victory on the road against Chile last Thursday on Matchday 15, with Julian Alvarez scoring the decisive goal for the Albiceleste. Messi came off the bench in the second half, as head coach Lionel Scaloni opted for a younger, more experimental lineup to continue the team’s generational evolution. However, several veterans are expected to return for the next match.
Scaloni will see the returns of Nicolas Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Gonzalez for the game against Colombia. All four were suspended for the March fixture against Brazil due to yellow card accumulation and have now completed their one-match bans.
Argentina has already clinched qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team currently sits atop the South American standings with 34 points. Meanwhile, Colombia is facing a rough stretch, earning just two points from its last five matches and sitting sixth in the table. A win in Buenos Aires would be crucial to their qualification hopes.
With Tuesday’s match set to take place at Estadio Monumental, it could be one of the final home games for Argentina in this qualifying cycle. Given Colombia’s urgency and the competitive stakes, Scaloni is expected to field a full-strength squad loaded with star power.
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Tagliafico the most notable absence for Colombia clash
While Argentina is regaining key personnel, one notable absence will be left back Nicolas Tagliafico, who is suspended after receiving a yellow card against Chile that pushed him over the disciplinary limit. His absence leaves a gap in the backline for Scaloni to fill.
Speaking at Monday’s press conference, the Argentina coach confirmed that Ligue 1 defenders Facundo Medina and Valentín Barco are the leading candidates to start in Tagliafico’s place.
Several other players also find themselves on the verge of suspension: Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, and Giovani Lo Celso all risk missing the next match if they receive a yellow card.
