Argentina kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign in fine fashion in the September international break, with two wins from two games. Captain Lionel Messi scored the winner from a free-kick at home to Ecuador but picked up an injury which saw him miss the victory away to Bolivia, along with several Inter Miami matches. The former Barcelona star, however, has been deemed fit for the upcoming games against Paraguay and Peru.

Will Messi start against Paraguay?

That’s the good news for Albiceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni, who has nevertheless refused to confirm whether the 36-year-old will start following his recent fitness issues. The bad news is that Argentina will be forced to play the next two games without no fewer than five players, including a key member of the team which won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Di María ruled out after Champions League injury blow

Scaloni has known for several weeks he would be without Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez, who hasn’t played since a home defeat to Brighton in the middle of September. It has been confirmed will undergo knee surgery, which is set to keep him out of action until the start of 2024.

Attacker Angel Correa wasn’t named in Scaroni’s initial squad because of a knee sprain suffered in Atlético Madrid’s derby win over Real Madrid. He has had some game time for his club since then but has played through the pain barrier, which has led to him being omitted from this week’s matches.

But the biggest blow is the absence of Ángel Di María, who started against Ecuador and Bolivia in September. The Benfica winger picked up a thigh issue in the Champions League defeat to Inter last midweek and has been unable to recover in time to play for his country. The 35-year-old captained Argentina in Bolivia in Messi’s absence and also took the armband after his teammate went off against Ecuador.

Dybala one of two to pull out of Argentina squad

Roma’s Paulo Dybala would have been one potential Di María replacement but was forced to pull out of Scaloni’s squad. The former Juventus attacker took a knock to his right knee in the first half of Sunday’s win over Cagliari, although he isn’t expected to spend too much time on the sidelines.

Dybala is one of two players who have withdrawn from the original squad, with Juan Foyth the other casualty. The Villarreal right-back’s shoulder popped out of its socket in his team’s weekend loss to Las Palmas, although he has also been dealing with a muscle strain in recent weeks.

When are Argentina’s October World Cup 2026 qualifiers?

Argentina take on Paraguay at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday 12 October (kick-off at 7:00 p.m. ET) before travelling to Lima to face Peru on Tuesday 17 October (kick-off at 10:00 p.m. ET).