Injured Messi excluded from Argentina’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Squad

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers due to a groin strain sustained in Inter Miami’s recent win over Atlanta, confirmed by his club.

Lionel Messi, the captain of the Argentina national football team, will miss the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to a thigh injury. The injury was confirmed by his club, Inter Miami, on Monday, March 17, but the exact duration of his absence remains unclear.

Messi had previously missed several games earlier this month but made a comeback in the CONCACAF Champions League, where he scored a goal. However, he will not be included in the national team roster for the upcoming matches against Uruguay on March 21 and Brazil on March 25.

Argentina, currently at the top of the South American qualifiers with a five-point lead, could secure their place in the World Cup with favorable results. Messi, who has scored six goals in the qualifiers, remains the top scorer in the competition.

Alongside Messi, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Montiel will also miss the upcoming matches due to injuries. Brazil, too, will be without Neymar, who is sidelined with a thigh injury, delaying his return to the field. Brazil is currently ranked fifth in the standings.

Argentina will face a challenge without their star player, Messi, but they remain in a strong position to advance. The absence of key players, such as Neymar for Brazil, will also impact the upcoming qualifiers, making these matches crucial for both teams.

As the qualifiers continue, the results of these games could have a significant impact on the qualification race for both Argentina and Brazil, especially with key players missing due to injury.

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