Following their narrow 1-0 win against Uruguay, Lionel Messi’s Argentina is on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, with a crucial match against Brazil ahead, contingent on specific results.
After securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, Argentina, despite being without their star Lionel Messi, is preparing to face Brazil in another pivotal encounter. With Argentina already leading the table, what result would ensure qualification for Messi’s national team?
Thanks to a stunning goal from Thiago Almada, Argentina earned 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 enjoy a 15-point cushion over Bolivia, who currently sits in the playoff spot. With only 15 points left in the qualifiers, it’s a formidable challenge for Bolivia to catch up.
While official qualification isn’t yet confirmed, the statistics heavily favor Argentina. Bolivia would need to win all their remaining matches, while Argentina would have to lose every game, in addition to overcoming a significant goal difference (currently -16 for Bolivia and +15 for Argentina).
In this scenario, Argentina could potentially secure qualification even before stepping onto the field against Brazil. Bolivia plays Uruguay four hours prior to Argentina’s match, and if Bolivia suffers a loss, Argentina will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A draw against Brazil would then cement their place in the tournament.
With 9 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in the qualifiers, Argentina’s path to the World Cup appears almost secure. The four matches following Brazil will also provide an opportunity to integrate fresh talent, rejuvenating the team as they prepare for the upcoming challenges.
Moreover, if Messi participates in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he will achieve a remarkable 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 World Cup Qualification History Against Brazil
Argentina will host Brazil, a team that has struggled without Neymar. For coach Lionel Scaloni and his squad, securing qualification against Brazil would represent a significant achievement—especially in light of their last encounter.
In 2021, Argentina qualified for the World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Brazil, one of their final matches before clinching victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Building on this historical context, Argentina will be eager to take another crucial step towards securing their spot in the 2026 tournament.
