After securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Uruguay in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, Argentina, despite being without their star Lionel Messi, is set to face Brazil in another high-stakes matchup. With Argentina already at the top of the table, what result would guarantee qualification for Messi’s national team?
Thanks to a brilliant strike from Thiago Almada, Argentina claimed a vital win in Montevideo, extending their lead at the top of the CONMEBOL standings with 28 points from 13 matches. More importantly, they now hold a 15-point advantage over Bolivia, who currently occupy the playoff spot. With just 15 points left to play for, it’s a daunting challenge for Bolivia to catch up.
While official qualification isn’t yet confirmed, the math is heavily in Argentina’s favor. Bolivia would need to win every remaining match, while Argentina would have to lose all of theirs, and Bolivia would need to overcome a significant goal difference (currently -16 for Bolivia and +15 for Argentina).
In this scenario, Argentina could potentially secure qualification before even stepping onto the field against Brazil. Bolivia plays Uruguay four hours before Argentina’s match, and if Bolivia loses, Argentina will be automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup. A draw against Brazil would then seal their spot in the tournament.
With 9 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in the qualifiers, Argentina’s place in the World Cup seems all but assured. The four remaining matches following Brazil will also provide an opportunity to bring in fresh talent, rejuvenating the team and preparing them for the challenges ahead.
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Additionally, if Messi participates in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he will achieve a historic milestone by becoming the first player ever to compete in six World Cups. This would surpass legends like Lothar Matthaus, Rafael Marquez, Gianluigi Buffon, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who each have five appearances.
Argentina’s history of World Cup qualification against Brazil
Argentina will host Brazil, a team that has struggled to find its rhythm without Neymar. For coach Lionel Scaloni and his team, securing qualification against Brazil would be a huge milestone—especially given their last encounter.
In 2021, Argentina secured World Cup qualification with a 0-0 draw against Brazil, one of their final matches before winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Building on this precedent, Argentina will be eager to take another key step toward securing their spot in the 2026 tournament.
