Argentina, moved one step closer to securing their place at the 2026 World Cup with a crucial 1-0 victory over Uruguay without their biggest star, Lionel Messi, as well as key attackers Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala. After the match, Scaloni delivered a six-word message that perfectly encapsulated the team’s resilience.

The road to the World Cup 2026 has already seen its fair share of drama, but one story stands out among the rest. While giants like Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and England are expected to feature in the tournament, a surprise contender has emerged—a little country from Oceania.

With Lionel Messi sidelined due to injury, Uruguay is set to host Argentina for Matchday 13 of the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Not everyone believes the outcome of the 2022 World Cup was entirely fair. A former French international has now made a shocking claim, suggesting that Argentina’s victory was preordained by FIFA. According to him, the 2022 World Cup was ‘given to Messi’, and even some French fans were rooting for him to lift the trophy.

Despite the absence of key players like Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez, Scaloni expressed confidence in his squad's ability to perform well against Uruguay. He mentioned some uncertainty in midfield but highlighted the depth of talent within his squad. He acknowledged the challenges presented by the upcoming matches.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez has reignited controversy months after the 2024 Copa America final, alleging that referee Raphael Claus unfairly favored Lionel Messi’s Argentina in their dramatic title clash.

Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez has added his voice to the long-standing debate about Neymar’s legacy. The former Real Madrid star believes the Brazilian would have won multiple Ballon d’Or titles if not for the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Martínez had been dealing with a muscle problem, missing Inter's Champions League match against Feyenoord. Despite scoring against Atalanta, further assessment confirmed the hamstring injury. His absence will require the coach to implement significant changes to the team’s strategy.

Following his move to Inter Miami, Messi has continued to excel in MLS. However, speculation about a potential return to Barcelona is growing. The timing of the reports suggests that a transfer may be realistic in the coming year. This possibility is likely to generate considerable excitement amongst fans.

After being ruled out of the Argentina national team, a former Lionel Messi's coach addresses his fitness and the doubts surrounding his participation in the 2026 World Cup.